Awoleesu:

So, thank you for your good response and resourcefulness!
My understanding of the word 'colonialism' simply denotes protection, influence and exploitation.
Did America Protect Liberia? Yes! Else the length of period between 1847 & the late fifties (when the wave of independence swept across most African countries) was enough for the European colonialists to retake Liberia. But because America was always protecting her, she was not 'raped' like her neighbors.

Secondly, did America influence her in any way? Again, it's a Yes! Hence the strong semblance of her national flag to Americans. Thanks to your submission, I need not stress that the influence of America accounts for the difference between Liberia and Sierra Leone (whose independence came much later than Liberia's despite being a sister nation of same freed black slaves...) Albeit, while Sierra Leone was founded autonomously by the Blacks, Liberia was founded for the blacks by America. The American Colonialsation Society (ACS) would remain the agency saddled with this responsibility until Liberia becomes independent. Please note that this negates your assertion as emboldened in your citation!

So, without much ado, you should agree with me that every ingredient of colonialism was indeed present in the Liberian - American relations.

Whatever the semantics you choose to go by, the letters and spirit points to same direction... A Sovereignty was declared by Liberia in 1847. Sovereignty is the same thing as independence.

PS:
See: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/libhtml/liberia.html

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Liberia&ved=2ahUKEwj03oKvxe7kAhWKzaQKHVE7B34QFjAEegQIDBAI&usg=AOvVaw1og43Z7CfffdqQnhwiAIhW

Once again, I appreciate the discourse with intellects like you.

Ok... good sparring session. I also appreciate the discourse with you

Birds Of The Same Feather