The
Merina Kingdom had ruled over most of Madagascar for centuries. It was only in the 19th century, however, that European powers began to recognize the Merina king,
Radama I, as overall lord of Madagascar. His widow,
Ranavalona I, ruled as queen over all of Madagascar, but much to the chagrin of the Europeans, she held foreigners and foreign powers at arms length until her death in 1862.
Radama II inherited the throne and was very different from his predecessors. Even before the death of his mother the queen, he had secretly taken instruction in Deism from American missionaries. Upon his ascension to the throne, he openly proclaimed his own religious beliefs, but rather than impose them upon his people, he proclaimed the principle of freedom of conscience to be the law of the land on the island. As part of this new freedom, he allowed missionaries from other nations such as Britain, France, Portugal, and America to prosetylize in Madagascar. He also allowed for foreigners to rent and purchase land on the island (though with heavy taxation). Eventually, some of the old guard felt endangered by Radama's reforms, and tried to stage a coup against him. However, Radama II had become popular among the people and was able to seek protection amongst them until the capital could be retaken by a joint Anglo-French mission. From that time forward Madagascar became a joint protectorate of France and Britain, but with Radama II ruling (granted, taxes on European land ownership were significantly reduced after the intervention).