S4E27: Independence (Partially) Defended

Ranavalona III was crowned empress of Madagascar in the midst of the first Franco-Hova War

The First-Franco war is a largely forgotten conflict. It represented neither a triumphant victory in the face of colonial conquest, nor a brutal and consequential defeat. This inconclusive nature, along with the heavyhanded censorship of the press by the French military, as well as being overshadowed by the larger scale and more devastating French war against Qing China meant that few people outside of Madagascar itself took much interest in the conflict. Despite this, the war is still worth studying due to its role in facilitating future French colonialism in the island, as well as an example of the strengths and shortfalls of Rainilaiarivony's government.