Madagascar – L’ambition de l’Angleterre et les droits de la France – Madagascar – The Ambition of England and the Rights of France. A rare anti-British pamphlet portraying Madagascar as the crown jewel of the French Empire, fully justifying foreign rule over the local population during the Vichy regime. [France, early 1940s]. Rare.
In an effort to assert France’s historical rights over Madagascar, the pamphlet presents a chronology from 1643 to 1896, emphasizing French dominance on the island during those years in opposition to British colonial attempts. It describes Britain’s efforts to seize control and the “restoration” of Madagascar to French rule in 1895–1896. The publication highlights Madagascar’s contribution to the French economy and its pre-war connection to France through detailed export lists: coffee, sugar, graphite, vanilla, meat, hides, rum, tobacco, and more – with precise import quantities. It also outlines France’s achievements in the colony: Infrastructure: roads, railways, ports, air routes. Healthcare institutions: maternity wards, hospitals, clinics, children’s hospitals. Education system: hundreds of public and private schools, vocational institutions, schools for the arts and administration. The underlying message is that France brings “progress” to Madagascar, in contrast to Britain. One cartoon portrays Britain as an ancient soldier “conqueror” and France as a nurturing mother nursing her child, with the caption: “Take good care of me, dear – the moment he’s big enough to adopt, I’ll take him from you.” The pamphlet also features General Joseph Gallieni Governor-General of Madagascar in the late 19th century, who oversaw the suppression of local uprisings and the establishment of French control over the island. His inclusion is intended to reinforce the narrative of “enlightened conquest” and the restoration of order by France.
France officially annexed Madagascar in 1896, making it a “French colony.” This was part of a broader colonial struggle between France and Britain in Africa. During the Vichy era and World War II, the purpose of this pamphlet was to reinforce colonial consciousness in France, highlight the colonies’ economic contributions to the metropole, and strengthen the justification for continued French control. Madagascar held strategic importance due to its location in the Indian Ocean. During the war, Britain temporarily occupied the island in 1942, fearing potential Japanese use of the territory.
Rare. Only one copy listed in the WorldCat global library catalog.
[8] pages. Very good condition.
