Editing History of Madagascar (section)

===First Republic (1960–1972)===
Tsiranana's rule represented continuation, with French settlers (or ''colons'') still in positions of power.  Unlike many of France's former colonies, the Malagasy Republic strongly resisted movements towards [[communism]].<ref name="Madagascar History">[[Lonely Planet]]: [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/madagascar/essential?a=culture Madagascar History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018084325/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/madagascar/essential?a=culture |date=18 October 2007 }}</ref>

In 1972, protests against these policies came to a head and Tsiranana had to step down. He handed power to General [[Gabriel Ramanantsoa]] of the army and his provisional government. This régime reversed previous policy in favour of closer ties with the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name="Madagascar timeline">[[BBC]]: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1832645.stm Madagascar timeline]</ref>

On 5 February 1975, Colonel [[Richard Ratsimandrava]] became the President of Madagascar. After six days as head of the country, he died in an assassination while driving from the presidential palace to his home. Political power passed to [[Gilles Andriamahazo]].