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The Commemorative Medal of Madagascar (1883 and 1896) (French: "Médaille commémorative Madagascar") was a French herinneringsmdaille. The medal recalls two campaigns, manifestations of French colonialism and expansionism at a time when France competed with other European powers as much as possible to conquer territories in Africa and Asia, or accepted or unwillingly loyalty.
The kings of the island of Madagascar had until the middle of the 19th century managed to preserve their independence. On June 28, 1855 broke the unhappy prince Rakoto the closed ranks of the independence of the island targeted royal family through, without having the right to add, to conclude an agreement with the French adventurer Joseph-François Lambert, called Lambert charter . When the prince once in power it will obtain Lambert trade concessions in exchange for a fixed amount for the then became King of the island prince.
Whether this betrayal has really explained so wear is controversial. Radama II was murdered on or about May 12, 1883. The authenticity of the charter and a letter of Radama asks the intervention of Napoleon III of France is perhaps not really.
Anyway; The French felt justified to attack on May 16, 1883 during the First Expedition to Madagascar port of Mahajanga and conquer. The aim was to maintain the Lambert Charter. Followed later attacks Tamatave (June 10), Fort Dauphin, Tolanaro, Vohemar / Iharana and Morondava. The French, who at the same time Tonkin in Indochina tried to conquer dared conquer the inland capital Tananarive not to and opened from a strong position negotiations. The Government of Madagascar had to accept the transfer of Diego Suarez and pay a high compensation. France was in the sequel "oversee the external relations of Madagascar" but the word protectorate was not. In Europe, there was talk of a "spookprotectoraat" a "Protectorat fantôme" of France on Madagascar.
The Second Madagascar expedition took place after the French declaration of war on October 22, 1894 instead. The United Kingdom had in exchange for its own protectorate over Zanzibar well found that the French people would seize Madagascar. The French colonialist wing in parliament demanded the annexation of the island and the French government took over that requirement.
The French government sent 15 000 soldiers from France and the colonies and 7000 non-European carriers for luggage. On December 12, 1894 occupied the French fleet under Admiral Amédée Bienaimé Port Tamatave and troops were put ashore on April 23, 1895 at Majunga. The French fought hard and did on September 30, 1895 to conquer Tananarive and the Malagasy government into submission. The price was very high. The French attacked in the rainy season and they brought enough quinine. Of the 15 000 broadcast French soldiers were killed 25 people while not less than 5756 soldiers krepeerden of malaria and other tropical diseases.
Madagascar became a French Decree of December 11, 1895 and an Act of August 6, 1896 annexed, Ranavalona III King of Madagascar was banned in 1897.
second medal
Admiral Amédée Bienaimé with the first medal
This round silver medal was on January 15, 1896 established by law by President Félix Faure and was destined for the participants of the expedition in 1894 and 1895.
The Louis-Oscar Roty engraved medal has a diameter of 30 millimeters. On the front is around writing "République Française" arranged around the head of a symbolical helmeted and in armor-clad female figure. It is called the "armed republic" and its with the letters "PATRIE" ornate helmet is honored.
On the flip side is under a big trophy which a flag and an anchor were given the honor to read the name "MADAGASCAR. Below this the year 1895.
The medal was worn with light green and yellow horizontal striped ribbon on the left chest. That ribbon is a silver ornament in the form of laurels and oak leaves out schriftrol worn with the year "1895".
Of the medal were awarded approximately 20 000 copies.
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