Anthony W. Gardiner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony William Gardiner
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| 9th President of Liberia | |
| In office January 7, 1878 – January 20, 1883 |
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| Vice President | Alfred Francis Russell |
| Preceded by | James Spriggs-Payne |
| Succeeded by | Alfred F. Russell |
| 9th Vice President of Liberia | |
| In office January 1, 1872 – January 3, 1876 |
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| President | Joseph Jenkins Roberts |
| Preceded by | James Skivring Smith |
| Succeeded by | Charles Harmon |
| 1st Attorney General of Liberia | |
| In office 1848–1855 |
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| President | Joseph Jenkins Roberts |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1820 Southampton County, Virginia, United States |
| Died | 1885 (aged 64-65) |
| Political party | True Whig |
Anthony William Gardiner (born January 24, 1820 – died 1885) was the ninth president of Liberia. He served from 1878 until 1883. He was the first in a long line of presidents from the True Whig Party. This party was in charge of Liberia for a very long time, until 1980.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Anthony William Gardiner was born in Southampton County, Virginia, in the United States. In 1831, when he was a child, his family moved to Liberia. They were helped by the American Colonization Society. This move happened after a big event called Nat Turner's slave rebellion in Southampton.
Gardiner studied law in Liberia and became a lawyer. In 1847, he helped write Liberia's declaration of independence and its constitution. He became Liberia's very first attorney general. Later, he served in the House of Representatives of Liberia from 1855 to 1871. He was even the Speaker of the House from 1860 to 1861.
In May 1871, he was chosen as vice-president. He served in this role until 1876. For some time, from 1875 to early 1876, President Joseph Jenkins Roberts was sick. During this time, Gardiner stepped in as acting president.
Less than two years after being acting president, Gardiner won the election to become president. He started his term in 1878. In the same election, the True Whig Party won by a lot. They then became the main political party in Liberia. They stayed in power until 1980.
What Happened During His Presidency
(1878–1883)
After 1868, Liberia faced more and more money problems. It became harder for the government to control the local people living along the coast. The country's economy got worse. Liberia was spending much more money on things it bought from other countries than it was earning from selling its own products. These products included coffee, rice, palm oil, sugarcane, and timber. Liberia tried hard to make its farming-based economy more modern.
As president, Gardiner wanted more trade with other countries. He also wanted more money invested in Liberia from outside. He worked to make public education better. He also tried to build stronger relationships with Liberia's native peoples. However, his time as president was greatly affected by European countries. These countries were busy trying to take over parts of Africa in what was called the "scramble for Africa".
Border Issues with European Countries
During this time, European countries were competing to colonize West Africa. The interest of the United States also helped Liberia stay independent. This was true even though Liberia had ongoing arguments with England and France until 1919.
While Gardiner was president, problems with the British Empire and Imperial Germany became very serious. Liberia got into a border fight with the British Empire. This was over an area called the Gallinas territory. This land is now part of Sierra Leone. The British even sent a warship to Monrovia, Liberia's capital, to show their strength.
At the same time, a German ship was looted along the Kru Coast. Some German sailors who were shipwrecked were also treated badly by the local people. Because of this, a German warship called the SMS Victoria bombed a place called Nana Kru. Germany then demanded money from Liberia for the damages. They threatened to bomb Monrovia if Liberia did not pay.
President Gardiner Resigns
President Gardiner resigned on January 20, 1883. He was very sick. His vice-president, Alfred F. Russell, took over as president. Two months later, in March 1883, the British government officially took control of the Gallinas territory. They made it part of Sierra Leone.
See also
In Spanish: Anthony W. Gardiner para niños
