Degree Year
2010
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
History
Advisor(s)
Michael Fisher
Keywords
Madagascar, Colonialism, Deforestation, Conservation
Abstract
This project examines the historical roots of deforestation during Madagascar's colonial period in order to shed light on contemporary conservation efforts. Through activities ranging from logging concessions and the encouragement of cash crop production, the French colonial government directly caused massive forest loss. Restrictive protectionist conservation legislation failed to adequately protect forest reserves, instead prompting many Malagasy to use the forests as tools of resistance to colonial governance. Furthermore, Madagascar's convergent colonial and environmental history created a problematic association between colonialism and conservation that has persisted post-independence. I will address the formation of this association and its consequences for both the French colonial government and the international conservation effort.
Repository Citation
Randrup, Claudia Moon, "Evaluating the Effects of Colonialism on Deforestation in Madagascar: A Social and Environmental History" (2010). Honors Papers. 390.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/honors/390
