protectorate · Central and Southern Africa

French Protectorate of Madagascar

1885 CE – 1897 CE · capital Antananarivo

The French protectorate imposed on the Merina monarchy of Madagascar, a step between independence and outright colonial conquest.

Origins

France fought the Merina Kingdom in the Franco-Hova War of 1883-1885. The treaty of December 1885 gave France control over Madagascar's foreign relations, the bay of Diego-Suarez and a resident-general at Antananarivo, though the Merina government kept internal power.

Rule and society

Queen Ranavalona III and her prime minister and husband Rainilaiarivony continued to govern through a modernised administration, a Protestant state church and an army. They disputed French claims to a full protectorate, and Britain recognised French rights only in 1890. Debts from the war indemnity weakened the monarchy.

Decline and legacy

In 1895 a French expedition marched on Antananarivo, which fell in September. The Menalamba rising followed, and France annexed the island in 1896. In February 1897 General Gallieni abolished the monarchy and exiled the queen, making the island the colony of French Madagascar.

Lineage

French Protectorate of MadagascarFrench Madagascar 1897 CE – 1958 CE

Connections (2)

  • French Protectorate of Madagascar was a protectorate of French Empire1885 CE – 1897 CE
  • Merina Kingdom was a protectorate of French Protectorate of Madagascar1895 CE – 1897 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). French Protectorate of Madagascar. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/french-protectorate-of-madagascar
MLA
“French Protectorate of Madagascar.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/french-protectorate-of-madagascar. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “French Protectorate of Madagascar.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/french-protectorate-of-madagascar.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘French Protectorate of Madagascar’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/french-protectorate-of-madagascar (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻