First Portuguese-Merina War (aug 9, 1878 – jul 22, 1882)

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In their efforts to expand their claims on the African continent, the Portuguese trade their claims on the northern tip of the Horn of Africa to the French in exchange for acceptance of their claims to Madagascar.

However, the actual invasion of the island was a nightmare for the Portuguese, who faced massive losses compared to Merina. At the end of the day, the Portuguese had achieved a Pyrrhic victory, they had failed in annexing the island, but still made many gains.

The Treaty of Antananarivo saw the annexation of the sparsely populated southwestern coast as the colony of Portuguese Madagascar. They also annexed the Islands to the North and West of the Kingdom. The Southern half of the Island was additionally placed under Portuguese influence.

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