A view of the capital

During the colonization, many Malagasy created groups of resistance to drive the French away from the island. The first was the "Menalamba", this group means " the red togas", red because of blood and because of red dust that covered their togas when they walked through the countryside. They fought for the independence but they defeated because of the inequality of the weapon. After them another group of resistance was founded in 1914, before the first world war. This group was named VVV: Vy, Vato, Sakelika, which means " Iron, Stone, Net". But this one defeated too, its leaders were arrested and condemned in 1916. The independence was not acquired yet, but there wasn't group of resistance anymore for twenty years. In 1936, a new group of resistance, led by students of the university of medicine, was founded, they succeed, but it was a short victory, even if they get many rights for the Malagasy population, most of them were exiled and condemned. The most violent step of the fight for Independence was the 29 March 1947. At this moment, the repression became more and more violent and important in the whole island. This day, the French captured many members of the resistance and put them in a train, which goes to the East. On the road, the French opened the doors of the train and many soldiers who were outside shot to the people who were in the train: thousand of Malagasy dead this day. But the resistance didn't give up, and the fight kept during 10 years. In 1958, the republic of Madagascar was proclaimed and two years later the 26 June 1960, Madagascar get its Independence . The first president was Philibert Tsiranana.