This book is a vivid history of Madagascar from the pre-colonial era to decolonization, examining a set of French colonial projects and perceptions that revolve around issues of power, vulnerability, health, conflict, control and identity. It focuses on three lines of inquiry: the relationship between domination and health fears, the island's role during the two world wars, and the mystery of Malagasy origins. The Madagascar that emerges is plural and fractured. It is the site of colonial dystopias, grand schemes gone awry, and diverse indigenous reactions. Bringing together deep archival research and recent scholarship, Jennings sheds light on the colonial project in Madagascar, and more broadly, on the ideas which underpin colonialism.

Presents the first analysis of what has made Madagascar unique in Western imaginations Explores in-depth the history of Madagascar from both colonial and global angles Engages deeply with recent scholarship in the fields of new imperial history and the history of medicine, as well as French language archival material Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Eric T. Jennings is Distinguished Professor of the History of France and the Francophonie at the University of Toronto, Canada. He is the author of several books on French colonial history, and has received a John Simon Guggenheim fellowship as well as grants from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- I. Health, Power and Vulnerability.- 2. Disease and Conquest.- 3. Rabies and Resistance.- II. The Great Island in Global Conflict, 1914-1945.- 4. The Black Angel of Antananarivo.- 5. Tyranny in the Wartime Central Highlands.- III. The Mystery of Malagasy Origins.- 6. Writing Madagascar Back into the Madagascar Plan.- 7. Recasting Madagascar: Village Structures, Racial Anthropology, and the Meanings of Cliff Markings.