In 1883, the French government sent a military expedition to Madagascar which soon escalated into an armed conflict between the Malagasy and the French and became known as the First Franco-Hova War (1893-1895). After the war, Madagascar became a French Protectorate. Soon after the end of the war, a second conflict began between the royal government of Queen Ranavalona III of Madagascar and the French military escalating into the Second Franco-Hova War (1894-1895). In 1895, Queen Ranavalona surrendered and in 1896 Madagascar was formerly annexed by France.