America in Africa: African Colonization and American Empire, 1815–1925

From the earliest plans in the late eighteenth century through the twentieth century, African colonization was never simply about removing free African Americans.  Both white and black proponents viewed African colonization as a way to uplift Africa, both economically and spiritually.  Many saw Liberia as a way of exporting and imposing American values on the benighted native African.  They viewed colonization as an expansion of a benevolent American empire.            This is perhaps unsurprising for white proponents of colonization, and even their interest in exporting American values was usually only secondary to their racial agenda.  However, African American interest in a burgeoning American empire is more striking.  Though this was sometimes secondary to pursuing personal opportunity and escaping American racism, it was often of primary importance.  By examining the letters, articles, and pamphlets of African American supporters of colonization this interest in American expansion can be clearly seen.  Beginning with the earliest supporters of colonization, like Paul Cuffee, and continuing for more than one hundred years, this interest in establishing a piece of America in Africa culminated in the mass appeal of Marcus Garvey.            Throughout, the plans for Africa focused on the Christian religion, a market economy, and a democratic government.  By examining these three examples of American values, this broad expanse of time and space can be centered on the African American actors.  Ironically, Africa allowed these African Americans to demonstrate their Americanness, something they were all too often unable to do in America.  African Americans, through the auspices of the American Colonization Society, became the voluntary agents of an early American empire.