Samuel Doe

Samuel Doe was a Liberian military officer who seized power in a 1980 coup and ruled Liberia until his capture and killing in 1990.

1980 Liberian coup d'état: A military coup that overthrew Liberian president William R. Tolbert on April 12, 1980. Doe led the enlisted soldiers who seized power and killed Tolbert.
1985 Liberian general election: A Liberian election in which Doe was declared the winner amid allegations of extensive fraud. The election gave Doe a civilian presidency while preserving his contested hold on power.
First Liberian Civil War: A Liberian civil war fought from 1989 to 1997 between the government and several armed factions. The rebellion that began during Doe’s rule grew into a devastating civil war.
Prince Johnson: A Liberian rebel leader who broke with Charles Taylor and led the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia. Johnson’s faction captured Doe in Monrovia in September 1990.
William R. Tolbert: Liberian president from 1971 until his overthrow and death in 1980. His government was overthrown in the coup that brought Doe to power.
National Democratic Party of Liberia: A Liberian political party founded by Samuel Doe in 1984. Doe used the party as the political vehicle for his presidential government.
Charles Taylor: A Liberian politician and rebel leader who became president after the First Liberian Civil War. Taylor’s forces invaded Liberia in 1989 to overthrow Doe.
Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia: A Liberian rebel faction led by Prince Johnson during the First Liberian Civil War. Its fighters seized Doe during the battle for Monrovia.
People's Redemption Council: Liberia’s military ruling body established after the 1980 coup. Doe chaired the council that initially governed Liberia after the coup.
1985 Liberian coup attempt: A failed coup attempt against Samuel Doe’s government, led by Thomas Quiwonkpa in November 1985. The attempt intensified repression and ethnic violence under Doe.

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