American Colonization Society
Definition
The American Colonization Society, founded in 1816, was an organization dedicated to transporting free African Americans from the United States to settle on the west coast of Africa.
Analogy
Think of it like a relocation agency that helps people move from one place to another. But instead of moving houses within a city or country, they were trying to move people across continents.
Related terms
Liberia: A West African country established by freed American slaves under the auspices of the American Colonization Society.
Back-to-Africa Movement: A movement led by Marcus Garvey in the early 20th century advocating for a return to Africa by descendants of enslaved Africans living in America. It was inspired partly by earlier efforts like those of ACS.
Repatriation: The process of returning someone back to their place of origin or citizenship. This term is often used when discussing movements like those led by ACS and Marcus Garvey.
"American Colonization Society" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (4)
What was the goal of the American Colonization Society?
What was the primary reason for the creation of Liberia by the American Colonization Society?
What was one direct consequence of American Colonization Society's efforts during this period?
What was a significant difference between the American Colonization Society and the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in their approach to black freedom?
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