French Colony

.History of Laos

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French Colony

1890
French colonial rule begins, lasts until 1953.

May 1893
French military occupation of Lao territories east of the Mekong.

July 1893
"Paknam incident" gives France excuse to demand cession of east bank territories.

October 1893
Treaty concluded on October 3, 1893, between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of His Majesty the King of Siam formalizes Siamese acceptance of French seizure of east bank territories.

1895
Laos, as French protectorate, divided into Upper Laos and Lower Laos.

January 15, 1896
Anglo-French Convention defines British and French spheres of influence in mainland Southeast Asia.

April 19, 1899
Laos reorganized under résident supérieur in Vientiane.

1902 - 07
France pacifies unrest in Bolovens Plateau; Sisavang Vong becomes king (r. 1904-59); annexation of Laotian territories completed by treaties with Siam (1904, 1907), acquiring borders of contemporary Laos.

1925 - 26
Further treaties and agreements finalize border questions and establish permanent Franco-Siamese High Commission of the Mekong.

Sisavang Vong

June 5, 1930
Laos designated French colony by French Legislative Council.

1931 - 32
Louangphrabang confirmed as protectorate of France.

1940 - 45
August 30, 1940, Matsuoka-Henry Pact ending Franco-Thai War gives all Lao territories west of the Mekong to Thailand; May 9, 1941, Peace Convention between France and Thailand; August 29, 1941, Treaty of Protectorate between France and the Kingdom of Louangphrabang; Laos occupied by Japan, March 9, 1945; Laos "independent"; after surrender of Japan, Sisavang Vong proclaims continuation of Laos as a French protectorate; Lao Issara activists seize power in Vientiane, Savannakhét, andother Laotian towns, establish provisional government.