Madagascar Colonial Records

French Colonization (1883-1960)
Officially known as the Republic of Madagascar, Madagascar was invaded by France in 1883. In 1890, the country became a protectorate of France, but the government of Madagascar did not acknowledge the French authority. After a protracted war, France annexed Madagascar in 1896, and it became a French colony in 1897. In 1958, the Malagasy Republic was announced as a self-ruling state within the French community. A constitution was adopted in 1959, and full independence from France was declared in 1960.