fco_481972 - MADAGASCAR French Union Lot 1953 Paris

MADAGASCAR - French Union

(1946-1958)

Discovered by Diego Dias in 1500, Madagascar was originally named St. Lawrence Island. In 1643, she became Dauphine Island with the arrival of the French. Then it is divided into feudal kingdoms and the interior of the island is a kingdom in the hands of chef Andrianampoimérina (1787-1810) whose son Radama I made himself master of the greater part of the island. In 1835, the missionaries were expelled and Christianity becomes illegal, Presbyterianism will become the state religion in 1869. In 1883, France bombarded Tamatave then in 1885 it obtains control of foreign policy by installing a resident in Antananarivo. The island was annexed by France in 1896 while Queen Ranavalona III is deposited and then deported. Madagascar, which had been occupied by the British and returned to the French in 1943, became a territory within the French Union. A climate of insecurity prevailing in the island in the next ten years. In 1957, Madagascar obtained internal autonomy and independence June 26, 1960.