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45-436: The House of Representatives contains 73 seats, with each county being apportioned a number of seats based on its population. The Senate has 30 members, with two senators, who won the first and second position, serving from each county elected based on popular vote. Both House and Senate seats are filled through direct election , with candidates who gain a plurality of the vote winning their contested seats. House members serve

90-595: A long-term relationship with her. As World War II gave way to the Cold War , the United States viewed Liberia as an ideal post from which to fight the spread of communism through Africa . Under Tubman, Liberia voted with the U.S. on most key matters at the United Nations, although it sometimes sided with other African states, particularly on decolonization and anti-apartheid issues. Tubman gradually extended ties to

135-460: A member of the party and individuals who have gained at least 2 per cent of the total votes cast in the constituency the candidate is fielded. The candidates who obtained less than 2 per cent of votes are not qualified for the next election from the party. The political party should field candidates in at least 50 per cent of total constituencies and should field at least 30 per cent females. The candidates who secured first and second position based on

180-412: A model of decentralization by defining counties, which are targeted to achieve national growth and development. The counties are further grouped into larger political subdivisions in the name provinces numbering four: Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern. The laws enacted by a province shall be applicable to its jurisdiction and all the provincial laws subordinate the national laws. The provincial capital

225-481: A period when other countries were achieving independence—often amid violence. During the 1960s, Tubman was courted by many Western politicians, notably U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson . In the past, the bulk of Liberia's production depended on rubber . But with the modernization of the state's infrastructure at the hands of Tubman, Liberia started to use its other national resources. Several Americo-Liberian nationalities, German, and Swedish companies became involved in

270-825: A solution for freedmen, rather than allowing them to remain in the United States. Their presence was considered to unsettle slaves in the South, and in both the North and South, lower-class whites resented competing with them for jobs. Clay assured her that sending her former slaves to Liberia would be a safe and suitable option. After arriving in Liberia, this group of freedmen took "Tubman" as their surname and settled together. They named their community Tubman Hill after their benefactress. President of Liberia Government constitutional referendum economic policy legacy William Tubman,

315-498: A superintendent appointed by the President . William Tubman William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman (29 November 1895 – 23 July 1971) was a Liberian politician. He was the 19th president of Liberia and the longest-serving president in the country's history, serving from his election in 1944 until his death in 1971. Tubman is regarded as the "father of modern Liberia" in that during his presidency sufficient foreign investment

360-539: A synthesis composed of individual states retaining their own way of life, but united by mutual exchanges of peoples, goods and ideas, by pacts of non-aggression, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and of perpetual peace. In foreign policy, Tubman aligned his country with the US, which he hailed as "Our strongest, closest, and most reliable friend." In June 1944, he and former president, Edwin Barclay , traveled to

405-464: A term of six years and senators serve a term of nine years, with sitting members allowed to seek re-election. The qualifications of the voters are the same for both the election of Senate and the House of Representatives. The qualifications for becoming a voter are the person should possess Liberian citizenship, should be aged at least 18 years old at the end of the registration period, should be registered on

450-497: A voting roll, should be residing in the country during voter registration and on polling day. The qualification for being a Representative of the House are Liberian citizen by origin and aged at least 25 years old, while it is 30 years for becoming a member of the Senate. The requirements for political parties to field its candidates are the member nominated should be a member of the party and individuals who have gained at least 2 per cent of

495-408: A voting roll, should be residing in the country during voter registration and on polling day. Voters with mental illness and court-declared incompetency are disqualified to vote Senate members. The mandatory requirements for being a Senate member are Liberian citizen by origin and aged at least 30 years old. The requirements for political parties to field its candidates are the member nominated should be

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540-520: Is bicameral in nature with a Senate and the House of Representatives . There are 15 counties in the country and based on the population, each county is defined to have at least two members, while the total number of members to the house including the Speaker of the House being 73. Each member represents an electoral district and elected to a six-year term based on popular vote. There are 30 senators, two each for

585-478: Is chosen by the provincial legislature. The executive administration of each county shall be governed by a County Superintendent and a Vice Superintendent, both of whom are elected by the residents of the county. The national governmental services are made available to residents of province through the branch offices established in each provincial capital. The provincial government are allowed to impose taxes, and allowed to act on stipulated national limits to best manage

630-505: The Liberian Supreme Court to remove him as a competitor for the presidency. In December 1942, Liberia had to elect a successor to President Edwin Barclay . Six candidates ran for office; the two favorites were Tubman and Foreign Minister Clarence L. Simpson . Tubman was elected president on 4 May 1943, at the age of 48, and was inaugurated 3 January 1944. While the United States, its ally, began to base military operations in

675-744: The White House as guests of President Franklin D. Roosevelt , and became the first African heads of state to be received there. Following the war, which resulted in an anti-colonial movement on the African continent, Tubman strengthened ties among fellow Africans by participating in the Asian-African Conference of 1955, and the First Conference of Independent African States in Accra , organized in 1958 by Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. In 1959, Tubman organized

720-550: The bar examination and became a lawyer in 1917. Tubman was soon appointed as a recorder in the Maryland County Monthly and Probate Court a tax collector, teacher, and as colonel in a militia . He was a Freemason and belonged to lodges of Prince Hall Freemasonry . Having joined the True Whig Party (TWP), the dominant party of Liberia since 1878, Tubman began his career in politics. In 1923, aged 28, he

765-424: The "benefits of colonization", by which he meant the investment by a wealthy major power to develop the infrastructure of the country. He established an economic policy, known as the " porte ouverte " ("open door") , to attract foreign investment. Working to facilitate and encourage foreign businesses to locate in Liberia, he encouraged development. Between 1944 and 1970, the value of foreign investments, mainly from

810-528: The "revolutionary" group based at Casablanca . We wage no war against socialism if it is kept within the territories and among people that are so inclined, but we shall fight till death any attempt to impose and force upon us what we consider a mystical illusion. A U.S Peace Corps program began in Liberia which would run until 1990 when Civil war broke out. Tubman's government was critical of communism, and avoided establishing diplomatic relations with most of

855-567: The 15 counties and they serve a nine-year term. Senators are also elected based on plurality of votes. The Vice President of Liberia is the head of the Senate and he also acts as President in his absence. The Article III of the Constitution of Liberia stipulates Legislature as one of the three branches of government that ought to be equal and coordinated based on the Principle of checks and balances. The Constitution of Liberia defines legislature as

900-500: The Liberian economy; (2) Germany was Liberia's major trading partner; and (3), most of the doctors in Liberia were Germans. Under the above declaration, Tubman agreed to expel all German residents and oppose the Axis powers . Liberian policy is committed to the concept of a free enterprise system, democracy, and a pragmatic search for solutions to problems of multinational existence. We envisage

945-718: The Second Conference of African States. In 1951 United States and Liberia signed a mutual agreement of defense. Following that in 1957 The U.S. erects a Voice of America relay facility, one of several U.S. communications facilities to be placed on Liberian soil during the Cold War. In 1961, following a Pan-African conference held in Monrovia , Tubman helped to found the African Union. This association of "moderate" African leaders worked for gradual unification of Africa, unlike

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990-512: The Senate in 1931 to defend Liberia before the League of Nations amid allegations that his country was using slave labor . Tubman was reelected to the national legislature in 1934; he resigned in 1937 after being appointed by President Edwin Barclay as associate justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia , where he served until 1943. An official biography speculates that Barclay appointed Tubman to

1035-589: The Soviet bloc, but he supported the United States on the Vietnam War , as did his successor, William R. Tolbert. Tubman was criticized for being too influenced by the United States and its interests in the area including its opposition to communism, and for repressing political opposition. His former ally and later political opponent S. David Coleman and his son John were hunted down and killed by Liberian soldiers for allegedly plotting to overthrow him. The Coleman funeral

1080-471: The United States, increased by 200%. From 1950 to 1960, Liberia experienced an average annual growth of 11.5%. With the expansion of the economy, Tubman gained revenues for the government to construct and modernize infrastructure: the streets of Monrovia were paved, a public sanitation system was installed, hospitals were built, and a literacy program was launched in 1948. During Tubman's administration, several thousand kilometers of roads were built, as

1125-565: The communist countries (Yugoslavia, which was regarded highly by the Liberian government, was the lone exception); however, Liberia did exchange trade and goodwill missions with the Soviet Union and other Eastern European states. When Tubman was appointed to the Supreme Court in the 1930s, Liberia was seriously underdeveloped, lacking basic infrastructure of roads, railways, and sanitation systems. Tubman said that Liberia had never received

1170-518: The country after it entered World War II, Liberia did not declare war on Germany and Japan until 27 January 1944. In April 1944, Liberia joined the Allied cause by signing the Declaration by United Nations . Choosing to sever diplomatic relations with Germany and expel German citizens from Liberia was a difficult decision for Tubman for economic and social reasons: (1) German merchants were integral to

1215-518: The end of the registration period, should be registered on a voting roll, should be residing in the country during voter registration and on polling day. Voters with mental illness and court-declared incompetency are disqualified to vote for the Representatives. The mandatory requirements for being a Representative of the House are Liberian citizen by origin and aged at least 25 years old. The requirements for political parties to field its candidates are

1260-513: The exploitation of iron mines—making Liberia the first source of iron in Africa, and the fourth worldwide. Tubman wanted to diversify the economy, rather than basing it on rubber and iron resources, which made up 90% of the country's exports. He encouraged the development of coffee plantations, palm oil , sugar cane , and especially rice cultivation in 1966 (with the help of Taiwan ). In his personal life, Tubman courted Amy Ashwood Garvey , and had

1305-506: The floor because he thought beds were too soft and "degrading to character development". Tubman's mother, Elizabeth Rebecca (née Barnes) Tubman, was from Atlanta , Georgia . Alexander's parents, Sylvia and William Shadrach Tubman, were freedmen, part of a group of 69 freed slaves whose transportation to Liberia in 1844 was paid by their former mistress Emily Harvie Thomas Tubman , a widow and philanthropist in Augusta, Georgia . Emily Tubman

1350-483: The highest number of votes cast in a given constituency is declared the Representative of the House of the constituency. If on any circumstance the seat becomes vacant, by-elections are held within 90 days of the vacancy. The qualifications for becoming a voter of Senate are the person should possess Liberian citizenship, should be aged at least 18 years old at the end of the registration period, should be registered on

1395-519: The level of impeaching the President. During 1871, E.J. Roye was the President and after his deposition, Vice President James Smith was impeached by the House of Representatives to prevent another dark skinned President. In 1900, the House of Representatives, Liberian Senate and the cabinet opposed to the interior policies of the President Coleman, who resigned. Experts believe that Liberian legislature

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1440-454: The member nominated should be a member of the party and individuals who have gained at least 2 per cent of the total votes cast in the constituency the candidate is fielded. The candidates who obtained less than 2 per cent of votes are not qualified for the next election from the party. The political party should field candidates in at least 50 per cent of total constituencies and should field at least 30 per cent females. The candidates who secured

1485-452: The number of votes cast in a given constituency are declared the senators of the constituency. As an exception, the candidates chosen second were allowed to continue for only a six-year term, but from 2011 elections, all winners and runners up would have a term of nine years. If on any circumstance the seat becomes vacant, by-elections are held within 90 days of the vacancy. The Legislature has exhibited its powers in many cases and sometimes to

1530-451: The resources in the province. The budgets of each province is managed by the province administration with the help of local taxes and central government subsidy. The legislature is mandated to convene on the first day of December, which coincides with the African liberty celebration. The qualifications for becoming a voter of the House of Representatives are the person should possess Liberian citizenship, should be aged at least 18 years old at

1575-563: The second son, went to primary school in Harper, followed by the Methodist Cape Palmas Seminary , and Harper County High School. Beginning in 1910, when he was 15, he participated in several military operations within the country through 1917, being promoted from private to officer. Planning to become a preacher, at age 19 Tubman was named as a Methodist lay preacher. After studying law under various private tutors, he passed

1620-525: The state legislature had greatly restricted manumissions, requiring a legislative act for each, and posting of expensive bonds by the owner to guarantee the free black would leave the state within a short period of time. Tubman sought the help of her friend and mentor, Henry Clay of Kentucky, president of the American Colonization Society . This organization, made up of both abolitionists and slaveholders, had proposed colonization in Africa as

1665-487: The total votes cast in the constituency the candidate is fielded. The political party should field candidates in at least 50 per cent of total constituencies and should field at least 30 per cent females. If on any circumstance the seat becomes vacant, by-elections are held within 90 days of the vacancy for both the Senate and the House. The legislature of Liberia was modeled based on the United States Congress . It

1710-555: Was a railway line to connect the iron mines to the coast for transport of this commodity for export. During this period, he transformed the Port of Monrovia into a free port to encourage trade. By early 1960, Liberia began to enjoy its first era of prosperity, thanks in part to Tubman's policies and implementation of development. It was during this time that Tubman became regarded as a pro- Western , stabilizing influence in West Africa , at

1755-464: Was attracted to modernize the country's economy and infrastructure. During his tenure, Liberia experienced a period of prosperity. He also led a policy of national unification in order to reduce the social and political differences between his fellow Americo-Liberians and the indigenous Liberians . William Tubman was born on 29 November 1895, in Harper which is located in southeastern Liberia. At birth he

1800-572: Was elected to the Senate of Liberia from Maryland County , holding the record as the youngest senator in the history of Liberia. Identifying as the "Convivial Cannibal from the Downcoast Hinterlands ," he fought for constitutional rights for the members of indigenous tribal groups , who comprised the overwhelming number of Liberians. Re-elected as senator in 1929, Tubman became the legal adviser to vice president Allen Yancy . He resigned from

1845-595: Was instrumental in the manumission of enslaved African Americans and paying for their transportation to Liberia for "repatriation". Initially, she had great difficulty freeing her slaves in ante-bellum Georgia. Despite appeals to the Georgia State Legislature and financial donations to the University of Georgia , her efforts to manumit numerous slaves were disapproved. After the Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831,

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1890-498: Was one of 5 children who had grown up poor. He was also a descendant of people who were formerly enslaved in the U.S. Tubman's grandfather, Alexander Tubman, was a stonemason , general in the Liberian army, and a former Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives , as well as a Methodist preacher. Tubman's father was a strict disciplinarian. He required his five children to attend daily family prayer services, and to sleep on

1935-427: Was poorly attended, as people were afraid of being seen as Coleman sympathizers. That same year the constitution was changed to allow Tubman to stay in office for more than two terms. In 1961 Tubman declared a state of emergency after riots and a strike took place. In July 1965 , Raymond J. Horace and three other individuals involved in the 1955 attempted assassination of Tubman were released from prison. As

1980-414: Was seen as a measure to further dilute the powers of legislature. There were many cases of corruption against the President who became affluent and could attract candidates with money. There were a lot of cases where opposing candidates were asked to resign or expelled from the legislature. Counties of Liberia The Republic of Liberia is divided into fifteen counties . Each is administered by

2025-427: Was truly democratic until 1944, the era of President William Tubman . Tubman is accused of allowing illiterate members in the branch of the government, who acceded to all the demands of the President and were unaware of their power and responsibilities. Most of the candidates were chieftains, who were not elected based on popular vote. The amendment to constitution seeking representation for provinces made during May 1946

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