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490
The beginning
During 490 AD, Madagascar was just an island that was uninhabited. The earliest unambiguous evidence of human presence in Madagascar was found at Andavakoera. Early settlers arrived in outrigger canoes from southern Borneo. They used slash-and-burn agriculture, and they cleaned the rainforests for cultivation. -
1000
Bantu speech
Bantu-speaking migrants from southeastern Africa arrived around 1000 and introduced the Zebu, a type of long-horned humped cattle. They resembled draught oxen and dairy cattle. Their byproducts consisted of hides, dung for fuel, manure, and bones for knife handles.The Zebu help a lot with agriculture in Madagascar. -
1500
Trade failed
An attempt made by the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and English to form trading settlements failed because of harsh weather conditions and aggressive local Malagasy. It took many years for Europeans to even establish any foothold in Madagascar. This was also due to pirates ruling the Eastern coast. -
Aug 10, 1500
The first European to land on Madagascar
Diogo Dias, a Portuguese sea captain, after being moved off track while on his way to India, landed on Madagascar, making himself the first European to land on Madagascar. St. Lawrence was the name he gave the island. People who lived on the island called it Madagasikara. The island was later renamed Madagascar after it was popularized by Europeans. -
Pirate island
During the late 1600s many pirates uses Madagascar as a base. They used the island to attack ships that passed through the island. They killed all the crew on the ship and they stole everything on the ship, such as slaves, women, gold, and even the ship it's self. -
The king
Radama I, a king of Merina who had British aid, unified a majority of the country. He allowed English missionaries to come in and spread Christianity, as well as transcribe Malagasy into a language that is written. This had never been done before. During his rule, a small industrial revolution occurred giving the island more industry and money. -
French colony
In 1883, France took over Madagascar, until 1896, when they took control over the whole island, and called it the French Colony. They took the Malagasy back to their country, and made them into slaves. Even through all the fighting, the Malagasy still did not gain their freedom until June 26,1960. -
President Philibert Tsiranana
In 1960, Madagascar became a fully independent country. The first president they had as an independent country was Philibert Tsiranana. This is an important event because being an independent country means they can practice self-government and they also have rule over their territory. -
President Andry Rajoelina
Dozens are killed as a result of violent protests in Antananarivo on the closure of conflicting TV and radio stations. The leader of the protest, Andry Rajoelina, tries to get rid of their current president, and proclaims himself in charge of the country. Andry eventually did become president and changed the government system by taking the senate power and giving it to his cabinet. He was president until 2014. -
President Hery Rajaonarimampianina
In President Hery Rajaonarimampianina was going to be impeached. This is important because Hery is still president to this day. He is not the best president due to the fact that he has drug religion into politics and has not been able to deliver his promises. In fact, he is such an uncooperative person, when he should have been impeached he refused and said “I’m still here, I’m still standing”.
