Madagascar Declared a French Colony

The political landscape of Madagascar underwent a drastic transformation when the Merina monarchy sought assistance from British military advisers to bolster its defenses against French colonial ambitions. The Merina monarchy, under Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, aimed to strengthen the Malagasy army through British training and leadership. However, despite these efforts, the Malagasy forces were unable to effectively counter the advanced weaponry employed by the French military. The culmination of this conflict occurred with a decisive attack on the royal palace in Antananarivo, which led to the surrender of the Malagasy army. This military defeat marked the end of Madagascar's sovereignty and resulted in the formal declaration of the island as a French colony. The establishment of French colonial rule had profound implications for Madagascar's political and social structures. The loss of independence meant that the Malagasy armed forces, which had previously operated with a degree of autonomy, were now under foreign control. This shift not only altered the governance of the island but also initiated a period of significant cultural and economic changes driven by French colonial policies. The integration of Madagascar into the French colonial empire led to the exploitation of its resources and the imposition of new administrative systems, which would shape the island's future and its path towards eventual independence.