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Tolbert, William Richard, Jr.[tol´burt] Pronunciation Key, 1913–80, president of Liberia (1971–80). In government since 1935, he was vice president (1951–71), succeeding to the Presidency upon Tubman's death in 1971. Instituting reforms to close the disparity between Americo-Liberians and indigens, he raised expectations while the economy failed, stimulating opposition, a national strike, and a military coup (1980) in which he was killed.
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