The first settlers

According to one theory, peoples from the Indonesian archipelago migrated along the coast of south Asia, across the Arabian Peninsula into the east coast of Africa and, finally, across the Mozambique Channel into present-day Madagascar. This movement started some 1500 years ago and occurred over several generations. The Malay-Polynesian sailors eventually settled in the central highlands. The arrival of African peoples occurred later and was a result of normal migrational trends and the rise of the slave trade. The gradual interaction between Asian and African populations resulted in a distinct Malagasy people and culture.

The Colonial Period

In 1642 the French gained a foothold on the island. However, their influence was unstable until 1896, when, as a result of popular uprisings, Madagascar was proclaimed a colony of France and military rule was instituted. Under the provisions of the French constitution of 1946, the island became an overseas territory of France. During the 1950s France took measures to increase self-government on the island, and in the late 1950s a congress made up of the members of the provincial councils proclaimed Madagascar, renamed the Malagasy Republic, a semiautonomous member of the French Community.

The Post-Colonial Period

On June 26, 1960, the republic became fully autonomous while retaining a cordial association with France. Later that year it was admitted to the United Nations (UN). After a decade of political stability, Malagasy experienced serious unrest in the early 1970s. On December 30, 1975, the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of Madagascar, and the following month Lieutenant Commander Didier Ratsiraka was named president. After massive antigovernment demonstrations, Ratsiraka promised to institute democratic reforms. A new constitution was approved in August 1992. Albert Zafy defeated Ratsiraka in a presidential runoff election in February 1993. The National Assembly voted to impeach Zafy after he promoted a 1995 referendum that expanded presidential power while it lessened the assembly's authority. In early 1997 former president Ratsiraka was victorious in presidential elections.