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.