They had established plantations and businesses , and were generally richer than the indigenous people of Liberia and exercised overwhelming political power .
The Americo - Liberian minority , many of whom were mixed race African Americans , tended to marry within their group .
African Americans had established plantations and businesses , and were generally richer than the indigenous people of Liberia and exercised overwhelming political power .
The Americo - Liberian minority , many of whom were mixed race African Americans , tended to marry within their group .