Laos

Results to the nation

Location

• U.S. bombed more than 270 million bombs in Laos
• 1/3 of the bombs failed to explode
• Vast quantities of UXO
• 100 victims an year - 60% resulted in death and 40% children
• 1973 refugees resettled in the United States

• Southeast Asia - Northwest Indochinese peninsula
• Laos is surrounded by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
• Tropical Moonsoon Climate
• Rainy Season
• Dry Season
• Mekong River - transportation
• Dong Falls - prevent access to the sea
• Annamite Chain - border with the Vietnam
• Mountainous topography: buffer between more powerful neighboring state; as well as a crossroads for trade and communication.

Reason of Its Participation in Conflict

Vietnam War Outside Its Borders

The conflict expands into Laos because...

like Vietnam, Laos faced:

• Colonial exploitation (French)

• Japanese Invasion (WWII)

• Influence of Cold War
• Strong Communist influence from Soviet Union
• US feared the spread of communism

• Rise of Nationalist-communist groups

Laos in Vietnam War

Laos Civil War

(1953-1975)

• Negotiators in Geneva agreed that Laos would remain neutral

• However, Vietminh entered Laos to establish the Ho Chi Minh Trail

• The U.S. decided to run a Secret War in Laos

• U.S. recruited, trained, paid and gave weapons to Hmong people (indigenous Laos people)

• The U.S. bombed Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos to cut off the supply lines through Laos

• From 1964 to 1973, US drops more than 2 million tons of bombs in Laos (the most bombed nation on earth)

• In 1953, Pathet Lao initiated Civil War in Laos

• Civil War fought between:

Pathat Lao (communist) X Royal Lao Government

• Pathet Lao was armed, trained and received supplies from the VietMinh

• Both sides also received heavy external support of the Cold War superpowers

LAOS

Anna Luisa Chaves, Juliana Silva, and Maria Eugênia Jannuzzi