Ancient and Early History
The history of Laos is traced back through the mist of many millennia: according to archeological data, people have been present in the country since the time of the Neolithic era. Tools and pottery have been found along with ancient settlements, such as on the Plain of Jars, that suggest advanced early societies. By the turn of the first millennium CE, what is now Laos formed a part of these flows of Indian and Chinese civilizations, with their attendant Theravada Buddhism, writing systems, and new forms of governance. Early state formation occurred during this period, with examples that included the Kingdom of Funan and, later, the Chenla Kingdom.
Kingdom of Lan Xang
In 1353, Fa Ngum, with the aid of the Khmer Empire, established the Kingdom of Lan Xang through the unification of principalities that prevailed in the area. In a short time, Lan Xang, meaning “Land of a Million Elephants,” grew powerful in Southeast Asia because of its military might and wealth brought about by commerce. The kingdom flourished under the 17th-century King Sourigna Vongsa, known for his administrative reforms and efforts in the propagation of Buddhism. Lan Xang extended its control over present-day Laos, northern Thailand, parts of Vietnam, and Cambodia. But internal discord splintered the kingdom following his death into three rival states: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak.
Colonial Era
It was in this manner that by the end of the 19th century, European powers expanded their dominance over territories in Southeast Asia. In 1893, Laos became a French protectorate. It was clubbed with Vietnam and Cambodia to form the union of French Indochina. As part of the new infrastructures under French colonialism, roads, schools, and medical centers were established. These facilities were available to the colonial administration and urban areas, though, and a change of some significance was yet to come in rural places. During World War II, Laos fell to the Japanese and when the Japanese were defeated, there was a small break in which Laos was allowed independence before it was again imposed under French rule. The drive for independence was in the air and a Lao Issara movement meaning Free Laos emerged.
Independence and Civil War
In 1953, Laos achieved full independence from France as a constitutional monarchy with King Sisavang Vong. But, in no time, the country was caught up within the embrace of the Cold War geopolitics. The Laotian Civil War, which had been under intensive fighting since the late 1950s, continued with clashes between the United States-backed royalist government forces and communist Pathet Lao rebels backed by North Vietnam and the Soviet Union. The war brought heavy destruction, as the US heavily bombarded to interrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail; it was the lifeblood of supplies to North Vietnamese forces. It displaced hundreds of thousands of Laotians and left the country traumatized.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic
After the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, Pathet Lao came to power and established the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The new communist party which was under the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) started to practice socialism in the state. It initiated land collectivization and also industrial nationalization. The government was also closely related to the Soviet Union and was being economically as well as militarily supported. However, these policies turned out to be extremely disastrous economically and yielded famine conditions in the country, leading thousands of Laotians to flee abroad.
Modern Era
After the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Laos had no choice but to rethink economic policies. It started slow liberalization processes under the title of the New Economic Mechanism to adopt market-oriented reforms to attract foreign investments and induce growth in the economy. Key reforms embraced by this country include privatization of state enterprises, liberalizing trade policies, and promoting private initiatives. Nonetheless, Laos is far much one of the least developed countries in the Southeastern part of Asia as a majority of its population still undertakes subsistence farming. The country also has its share of problems such as corruption, poor infrastructure, and a lack of skilled labor.
Modern-Day Laos
Today, Laos is known for its cultural diversity, breathtaking landscapes, and welcoming people. The government has maintained its priorities on economic growth within a strategy to graduate from its present state as one of the least developed countries by 2024. The main drivers of growth will be hydropower, mining, agriculture, and tourism. Laos is also a full member of regional organizations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which pursues greater integration into the global economy. However, some remaining challenges include poverty, unexploded ordnance left from the Vietnam War, and balancing development with environmental conservation. In spite of all, Laos remains the land of possibilities and resilience with a will not to lose the real fiber of its culture in terms of progression towards success and prosperity.
