True Whig
Encyclopedia
The True Whig Party, also known as Liberian Whig Party, is the oldest political party
in Liberia
. Founded in 1869, the party dominated Liberian politics from 1878 until 1980 to the extent that the country was virtually a one-party state, although opposition parties were never outlawed. Initially, its ideology was heavily influenced by that of the United States
Whig Party
.
The political party was founded in the township of Clay-Ashland
in 1869. It presided over a society where only Black American settler
s and their descendants were citizens able to vote, and so represented them, often working in tandem with the Masonic Order. The party endorsed systems of forced labour. In 1930 they sold human labour to Spanish colonialists on Fernando Po
(now Bioko
in Equatorial Guinea
), leading to a five-year U.S. and British boycott of Liberia. Despite this dispute, the West
saw them as a stabilizing, unthreatening force and so invested heavily in the nation under William Tubman
's leadership (1944–1971).
The party lost power after Tubman's successor, William Tolbert
, was killed in an April 1980 coup by forces opposed to his clampdown on the political opposition and tolerance of corruption
. It was then the opposition's turn to clamp down on the True Whig Party. The vast majority of its members and supporters left the party, but it struggled on as a minor party.
The party participated in the 2005 general election as part of the Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia
, which dissolved the next year. It registered to compete as an individual party in the 2011 general election
, while endorsing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's bid for a second term. However, it failed to nominate any candidate for any legislative seat.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. Founded in 1869, the party dominated Liberian politics from 1878 until 1980 to the extent that the country was virtually a one-party state, although opposition parties were never outlawed. Initially, its ideology was heavily influenced by that of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Whig Party
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
.
The political party was founded in the township of Clay-Ashland
Clay-Ashland
Clay-Ashland is a township located from the capital city of Monrovia in Liberia. The town is in the St. Paul River District of Montserrado County...
in 1869. It presided over a society where only Black American settler
Settler
A settler is a person who has migrated to an area and established permanent residence there, often to colonize the area. Settlers are generally people who take up residence on land and cultivate it, as opposed to nomads...
s and their descendants were citizens able to vote, and so represented them, often working in tandem with the Masonic Order. The party endorsed systems of forced labour. In 1930 they sold human labour to Spanish colonialists on Fernando Po
Bioko
Bioko is an island 32 km off the west coast of Africa, specifically Cameroon, in the Gulf of Guinea. It is the northernmost part of Equatorial Guinea with a population of 124,000 and an area of . It is volcanic with its highest peak the Pico Basile at .-Geography:Bioko has a total area of...
(now Bioko
Bioko
Bioko is an island 32 km off the west coast of Africa, specifically Cameroon, in the Gulf of Guinea. It is the northernmost part of Equatorial Guinea with a population of 124,000 and an area of . It is volcanic with its highest peak the Pico Basile at .-Geography:Bioko has a total area of...
in Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
), leading to a five-year U.S. and British boycott of Liberia. Despite this dispute, the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
saw them as a stabilizing, unthreatening force and so invested heavily in the nation under William Tubman
William Tubman
William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman was a Liberian politician. He was the 19th President of Liberia from 1944 until his death in 1971....
's leadership (1944–1971).
The party lost power after Tubman's successor, William Tolbert
William R. Tolbert, Jr.
William Richard Tolbert, Jr. was the 20th President of Liberia from 1971 to 1980.Trained as a civil servant, he entered the country's House of Representatives in 1955 for the True Whig Party, then the only established party in the country...
, was killed in an April 1980 coup by forces opposed to his clampdown on the political opposition and tolerance of corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
. It was then the opposition's turn to clamp down on the True Whig Party. The vast majority of its members and supporters left the party, but it struggled on as a minor party.
The party participated in the 2005 general election as part of the Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia
Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia
The Coalition for the Transformation of Liberia was a political coalition that was formed to contest the 2005 Liberian general election. Initially, COTOL consisted of the Liberian Action Party , Liberia Unification Party , People's Democratic Party of Liberia , and the formerly dominant True Whig...
, which dissolved the next year. It registered to compete as an individual party in the 2011 general election
Liberian general election, 2011
The 2011 Liberian general election was held on 11 October 2011, with a presidential runoff election held on 8 November 2011. The presidency, as well as all seats in the House of Representatives and half of the seats in the Senate, were up for election...
, while endorsing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's bid for a second term. However, it failed to nominate any candidate for any legislative seat.