-
300 BCE
Madagascar separated from the Mainlands
In the very first period of time about 80-160 million years ago is when Madagascar was separated from the mainlands. Million of years ago Madagascar was not an island. This is important because Madagascar turning into an island make it pretty difficult for people to trade. Although Madagascar split from India, Madagascar is really popular for the spices that were originally from India. People begin to trade with Madagascar for exports like vanilla, pepper, minerals, and many more. -
Period: 200 BCE to 500
Settlers of early Madagascar
During the time of 200 BC through 500 AD people started to settle in Madagascar. The first people who settled in Madagascar were Indonesians. Although Indonesians settled first, many other races such as Africans and Arabs immigrated to Madagascar. The people of Madagascar are mixed with many ethnic groups. Most of the population of Madagascar is the Malagasy. The largest ethnic group in Malagasy is the Merina, and they were scattered throughout the island. -
1500
The beginning of European trading with Madagascar
Later in the 1500s, the Portuguese, and English attempted to trade with Madagascar. The trading failed because of the fierce fighting warriors of the local Malagasy. After the attempt of many European countries, in the early 1600s, the Europeans got a chance to rule over Madagascar. The Europeans got pirates that started ruling the east coast of Madagascar. The pirates used Madagascar as the base for attacking, and that would bring the goods from Madagascar back to the European countries. -
Aug 10, 1500
The first European discovery of Madagascar
August 10, 1500, was the day when a European sea captain first set foot on Madagascar. The Portuguese sea captain was named Diogo Dias. Diogo Dias was on his way to India, but he got swept away by the heavy storm. The heavy storm swept him to a mysterious land that he named St. Lawrence. He returned to Portugal later in 1501. Navigator used Diogo Dias description of what he saw on the island that he named “St. Lawrence” and made an accurate image of what Madagascar looked like. -
Missionaries in Madagascar
Radama the first, a Merina king, has help from the British to unify most of the country for the Salakavia kingdom, which is located in the far west and south. Radama opens the country for English missionaries, who spread Christianity throughout the island. The missionaries also transcribed Malagasy to a written language. The Salakvia empire was ultimately weakened by internal power struggles and there were attempts to substitute Islaam for the ancestral cult. -
Period: to
Persecution in Madagascar
Ranavalona the first terrorizes the country for 33 years. He persecuted Christians, evicting foreigners, executing political rivals and reviving the custom of killing babies born on unlucky days. Later, Ranavalona combined French and English attacks on Tamatave, but he fails to make headway. His first son, Radama ll restores contact with the outside world, then gets rid of persecuting Christians. After Radama ll is assassinated, treaties are signed with France and England. -
Period: to
Madagascar becomes a country
On October 1, 1895, France invades and takes over Madagascar’s capital, Tana. On December 1, France loses 20 men in battle during the campaign but more than 6,000 men died because of disease. France then adds Madagascar as a colony. Later, they unify the country under one single government. There were three different kingdoms called the Merina, Sakalava, and Betsimisaraka kingdoms. While King Andrianampoinimerina was in reign, he laid the foundations out for the Merina Kingdom. -
Madagascar gained independence
Madagascar had been controlled by France for a very long period of time. Madagascar was considered an autonomous state in the year 1958, but on June 26, 1960, it became an independent state. Philibert Tsiranana was the president of Madagascar during this time, and stepped up and made it all happen. This establishment was running off of a democratic system. Six years after Madagascar gained independence, it was made a holiday which takes place on March 26th. -
Didier Ratsiraka sentenced to Hard Labor
Many things happened during the year 2003 in Madagascar, but many people remember this important thing. On August 6, 2003, a man was accused of stealing about eight million dollars in public funds. His name was Didier Ratsiraka. Ratsiraka ran for president that year and came in second. Because of this tragedy, Ratsiraka was sentenced for 10 years doing hard labor in Madagascar. No one really knows if he really stole the money, but he was sentenced for it. -
Tropical Cyclones hit Madagascar
In March, the year of 2004, 2 major tropical cyclones hit Madagascar. This Cyclone was called Cyclone Gafilo. Cyclone Gafilo was very large, and it had a major impact on the country of Madagascar. It caused great damage, which led to everyone being homeless. This cyclone also caused about 300 deaths and many people missing. About 300,000 people were left homeless. Many people had lost their lives on March 7, 2004, by the ferry “ Le Samson”. It had killed 112 people, and only 2 survived.
