The
American Colonization Society was formed under the leadership of John
Calhoun, one of the main advocates of slavery. Calhoun managed
to persuade Congress to purchase territory in Africa. The new land
was named Liberia and plans were made to persuade former slaves to
return to Africa.
The project was opposed by Richard Allen
and James Forten of the Convention of
Color. Instead
of repatriation of Africa, the organization argued for the settlement
of escaped black slaves in Canada.
The first group of black colonists set sail for Liberia in 1820. Over
the next ten years over 1,400 people settled in the colony. Despite
intensive propaganda campaigns, only about 15,000 people left America
for Liberia.
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