The history of Laos is marked by a series of significant events that shaped its current form. One of the earliest known civilizations in the area was the Kingdom of Lan Xang, founded in 1353 by Fa Ngum. Lan Xang was one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia during its peak and played a crucial role in establishing Laotian identity. However, the kingdom eventually weakened due to internal strife and was divided into three separate territories by the late 17th century: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Champasak. The late 19th century ushered in a colonial period for Laos when it became a French protectorate in 1893, as part of <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-France" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">French Indochina</a>. French rule lasted until <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/World-War-II" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World War II</a>, during which Laos was occupied by <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Japan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Japanese</a> forces. After the war, the French attempted to reassert their control, but Laos eventually gained full independence in 1953. The colonial period had a lasting impact on the country, influencing its political, economic, and social systems. The modern history of Laos has been turbulent, marked by the Laotian Civil War (1959-1975), also known as the Secret War. This period saw the rise of communist forces, backed by the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-the-Soviet-Union" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soviet Union</a> and <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-Vietnam" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vietnam</a>, against the Royal Lao Government supported by the <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-the-United-States" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">United States</a>. The war culminated in the victory of the Pathet Lao, the communist faction, which led to the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975. Since then, the country has been a one-party socialist republic, closely aligned with Vietnam and, more recently, growing in its relations with <a href="https://history-maps.com/story/History-of-China" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">China</a>.

Visual Timelines

History of Laos Timeline

History of Laos Timeline

Prehistory of Laos

Early Indianised Kingdoms

Arrival of the Tais

Lan Xang

Conquests of King Fa Ngum

Reign of Samsenthai

Reign of Queen Maha Devi

Đại Việt–Lan Xang War

King Visoun

King Photisarath

King Setthathirath

Lan Xang at the Crossroads

Lan Xang Restored

Golden Age of Lan Xang

Regional kingdoms

Division of Lan Xang Kingdom

Siamese Invasion of Laos

Lao Rebellion

Haw Wars

Colonial Period

French Conquest of Laos

French Protectorate of Laos

Laos during World War II

Lao Issara & Independence

Laotian Civil War

Communist Laos

Communist Laos

Contemporary Laos

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