Martinique in the town of Saint-Pierre, Auguste Cyparis, was saved by the thick walls of his prison cell. Shortly thereafter the capital shifted to Fort-de-France, where it remains today. During WWII, the Vichy government controlled Martinique and Guadeloupe. German U-boats used Martinique for refueling and re-supply during the Battle of the Caribbean. In 1942, 182 ships were sunk in the Caribbean, dropping to 45 in 1943, and 5 in 1944. Free French forces took over on the island on Bastille Day, 14 July 1943, as Admiral Robert fled. In 1946, the French National Assembly voted unanimously to transform the colony into
Hinduism in Martinique inspiration to the French artist Paul Gauguin, who visited Martinique in 1887. Though Indo-Martiniquais comprises approximately 10% of the population of the island of Martinique,only a few 15% of them are still Hindus.. As of 2007,Hinduism constitute 0.3% of the population of Martinique. But according to other sources it is as high as 5%.It is to be noted that the Hindus and quimboiseurs(another religion in Martinique) considers themselves also to be Catholic due to the lack of connection with the Hindus worldwide. Maldevidan Spiritists is a syncretic religion in Martinique which combine aspects of the Hindu religion with Catholicism associating