The_Open_Door_deel1

CHAPTER 2
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THE ORIGINS OF THE CLOSED DOOR AND OPEN DOOR POLICIES 1847 - 1947
In Chapter 1 we have seen how black colonialism resulted in the
creation of Liberia. This second chapter will focus on those
economic achievements, financial transactions and political
developments of the young republic, which eventually resulted in
an "Open Door Policy" being adopted by the country's leaders, one
century after the Declaration of Independence. In the Liberian
context this Open Door Policy included the acceptance of foreign
loans,'the granting of concessions to foreign capitalists, and
the opening up of the country for foreign traders.
Some events and related periods were dealt with more extensively
than others. This was considered justified in view of the main
object of this chapter: to explain why and how the Liberian
leaders decided upon an "Open Door Policy". It is not the
intention of the present author to present a full account of all
developments that took place during the period covered, viz.,
1847 - 1947, but to restrict himself to the main theme of this
book. Extensive historical research on the country's past
revealed that there still is an appalling lack of information
concerning Liberia's first century as an independent nation.
The knowledge available was found to be at times highly
confusing and contradictory (see Annex 1). Nevertheless, this
chapter will throw some light on the background of Liberia's
policy to promote internal economic development through an "Open
Door Policy".
Liberia's failure to start even a beginning of economic growth
prior to 1947 is - as will be shown further on - due to its need
to survive politically. This need prevented the implementation
of a wise economic policy. The main causes of Liberia's problems
during the first century after its creation were:
(1) the internal conflict within the settler population
between mulattoes and blacks;
(2) the conflict between the settlers and the tribal
population;
(3) the external conflicts with European Powers and
traders.
The negative impact of foreign loans, incorrect collection of
taxes, improper management of government funds (mainly due to a
lack of qualified people) and embezzlement of public funds
aggravated the problems.
Immediately after the Declaration of Independence a vicious
circle developed whose financial impact led the country on
various occasions to a situation of near-bankruptcy. An adequate
reaction to these financial problems was prevented by the colour
conflict (between mulattoes and blacks) which dominated internal
(settler) politics in the nineteenth century.