In 1882, the French Third Republic established a protectorate over the Merina Kingdom on the island of Madagascar, with the consent of the United Kingdom. The French position on the island was solidified by the First Madagascar expedition (May 1883 to December 1885, the first phase of the Franco-Hova Wars). The protectorate lasted until 1897, when the French abolished the monarchy and turned the island into a colony, following the Second Madagascar expedition (December 1894 to September 1895, the second and last phase of the Franco-Hova Wars). Afterwards, Madagascar remained part of the French colonial empire until 1958, when the autonomous Malagasy Republic was established. The Republic gained full independence in 1960. List (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) See also History of Madagascar Merina Kingdom List of Imerina monarchs Malagasy Protectorate French Madagascar Franco-Hova Wars French colonial empire Sources http://www.rulers.org/rulm1.html#madagascar African States and Rulers, John Stewart, McFarland Heads of State and Government, 2nd Edition, John V da Graca, MacMillan Press (2000) Government of Madagascar Madagascar history-related lists 1882 establishments in Madagascar 1950s disestablishments in Africa