Republic of Maryland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Republic of Maryland (also known as the Independent State of Maryland) was a small African nation which existed from 1854 to 1857, when it was united into what is now Liberia.

The area was first settled by freed African-American slaves from the U.S. state of Maryland. They were assisted by the Maryland State Colonization Society, who officially recognized the colony of Maryland-in-Africa on 12 February 1834. In 1838, other African-American settlements were united into the Commonwealth of Liberia, which declared its independence in 1847. The Maryland-in-Africa colony remained apart, as the state colonization society wished to maintain its trade monopoly in the area. On 2 February 1841, Maryland-in-Africa became the State of Maryland. The state declared its independence on 29 May 1854 as the Independent State of Maryland with its capital at Harper.

Shortly thereafter, the local Grebo and Kru tribes attacked Maryland in retaliation for interference with the slave trade. Besieged, the Maryland government appealed to Liberia for help. Liberian militia troops repelled the indigenes and on 18 March 1857, Maryland was incorporated into Liberia as a county.

See Also: History of Liberia, Colonial Heads of Maryland