Second Madagascar expedition
The Second Madagascar expedition was a French military intervention which took place in 1894–95, sealing the conquest of the Merina Kingdom on the island of Madagascar by France. It was the last phase of the Franco-Hova War and followed the First Madagascar expedition of 1883–85.
French infantry landing at Majunga, May 1895.
Second Madagascar expedition depicted in Le Petit Journal, with the legend: "Events of Madagascar. M. Le Myre de Vilers and the colons leaving the coast."
Medal of the Second Madagascar Expedition. Law of 15 January 1896. Musée de la Légion d'Honneur.
Madagascar French expeditionary troops.
The Kingdom of Merina, or Kingdom of Madagascar, officially the Kingdom of Imerina, was a pre-colonial state off the coast of Southeast Africa that, by the 18th century, dominated most of what is now Madagascar. It spread outward from Imerina, the Central Highlands region primarily inhabited by the Merina ethnic group with a spiritual capital at Ambohimanga and a political capital 24 km (15 mi) west at Antananarivo, currently the seat of government for the modern state of Madagascar. The Merina kings and queens who ruled over greater Madagascar in the 19th century were the descendants of a long line of hereditary Merina royalty originating with Andriamanelo, who is traditionally credited with founding Imerina in 1540.
Andriamanelo waged war against the Vazimba in an effort to expel them from the highlands.
King Andrianampoinimerina (ca. 1787–1810)
Ranavalona III was the last monarch of Madagascar.
Landing of the 40th Battaillon de Chasseur à Pieds in Majunga, between 5 and 24 May 1895.
