History of Laos Kingdoms flourished on Lao territory for thousands of years, but written records are scarce before 1353, when Lan Xang (“land of a million elephants”) was established. Under King Fa Ngum, Lan Xang became a major trading center. Over the centuries, the kingdom struggled with neighbors for control of trade routes. Vientiane was a center of art, Buddhism, and culture under King Surinyavongsa, who ruled from 1637to 1686. In 1713, Lan Xang’s three provinces split into separate principalities that came under the influence of Siam (now Thailand) by the end of the 18th century. The French gained control of parts of eastern Siam in the late 1800s. In 1893, the Kingdom of Luang Prabang became a French protectorate and the remaining Lao areas became a French colony. The Japanese occupied Laos during World War II, but the French returned in 1946. Internal rule over a united Laos was granted to the King of Luang Prabang (King Sisavang Vong) in 1949, but Laos was still part of the French union until independence was achieved in 1953. A northern leftist group, Pathet Lao (“land of the Lao”),aided by North Vietnam, gained strength during the 1950s and eventually took control of many eastern parts of the country. Upon a cease-fire, the Pathet Lao joined a 1962 coalition government headed by Prince Souvanna Phouma. The Pathet Lao withdrew from that coalition in 1964. As the Vietnam War escalated, the Pathet Lao aligned with the Viet Minh (a communist movement) and fought against the governments of South Vietnam and Laos until a 1973 cease-fire. The Pathet Lao briefly participated in a new coalition but then took control of the country in 1975, declaring the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Kaysone Phomvihan, the Pathet Lao leader, became prime minister and Prince Souphanouvong (the Red Prince) became president. The United States bombed Lao territory intensively in the early 1970s in an effort to disrupt traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail that ran from North Vietnam through Laos and into South Vietnam. The bombing extended well beyond the trail and left permanent craters and unexploded weapons in many rural areas. After 1975, relations with the United States were strained but never broken. They began to improve in 1989. Since the 1990s, Laos’s leadership has focused on implementing economic reforms and attracting foreign investment. Political reforms are progressing at a slower pace. In 1991, anew constitution allowed for an elected National Assembly, but Laos Page 1 of 2 History of Laos remains a one-party state. Although independents may run for office, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) selects most candidates. References: “Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic).” CultureGrams World Edition. 2008. Page 2 of 2 .