The Resounding Impacts of French Colonialism on Madagascar

The method of French imperialism and colonialism has dominated the last few centuries, which resulted in substantial political and environmental detriment in its colonized countries. Specifically, a colony that was affected is the African country of Madagascar. During the Berlin Conference of 1884, the colonial powers established the borders for their conquest of Africa. Portrayed in the image above, the English relinquished their control of Madagascar to France at this conference, a shift in colonial power. As France acquired this island in the late 1800s, they subsequently seized control of a myriad of systems in Madagascar, shaping life through political, social, environmental, and economic means. Europeans noticed tempting possibilities in commodity markets such as coffee, sugar, gold, coal, rubber, and slaves. French planters and officials saw the African island as a source to obtain cheap land and free labor, to aid their economic goals and policies. However, the chief motive behind the possession of Madagascar was competition with other imperialist countries. Along with exploiting Madagascar’s resources for self-economic welfare, the French also extended customs, trade, and the power of their own nation to the Malagasy people: a reflection of the notions of White Man’s Burden and the Darwinian theory. The French colonial rule in Madagascar (1896–1960 AD) engendered a legacy of political instability and environmental destruction, warranting a form of recompense. <a href="https://medium.com/@kailichu14/the-resounding-impacts-of-french-colonialism-on-madagascar-7c0e4b081123">Click Here</a>