1871 Liberian coup d'état

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The 1871 Liberian coup d'état, also known as the Roye affair, resulted in the overthrow and death of President Edward James Roye of the True Whig Party and his eventual replacement by Joseph Jenkins Roberts of the Republican Party. Roye, a wealthy businessman, had been elected president of Liberia at the 1869 general election as the first True Whig to hold the office. Early in his term a referendum was held to extend the length of the presidential term from two years to four years. Republicans refused to recognize the results as valid and instead organized a presidential election in 1871. Roye and the True Whigs considered the election unconstitutional and did not participate, with Republicans declaring Roberts to have been elected unopposed. In October 1871, prompted by a controversial loan agreement signed by Roye's government, riots and street fights broke out between the supporters of Roye and Roberts. The Republicans sent multiple delegations demanding Roye's resignation, but he refused...

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