14. Ranavalona I sacrificed her people in opposition to European colonialism
As Queen of Madagascar, a title she assumed in 1828, Ranavalona was virulently opposed to both the influence of the European governments – chiefly France and Great Britain – and the work of Christian Missionaries within her realms. To stop them, she implemented policies which included heavy taxation of her people and the requirement to perform forced labor or military or service – or both – in order to pay them. She also engaged in warfare with the Europeans, intent on preventing the creation of permanent settlements on her island nation. She was opposed by her son, who negotiated with the French to create treaties of mutual benefit, with the French exploiting the island’s resources and the son, Radama, receiving their support claiming the throne. The conspiracy failed, Radama did not achieve power until the death of her mother, by which time the policies of the latter had reduced the native population of Madagascar by nearly half. After her death in 1861, European histories and those of the colonies they established depicted Ranavalona as a hated and deranged ruler. She is still widely considered so in Madagascar today, though a growing movement praising her for maintaining Malagasy culture and tradition has evolved.