Land Xang Kingdom of Laos ← 1949 – 1975 → Flag Coat of arms Anthem Pheng Xat Lao Capital Vientiane and Luang Phabang (King Palace) Government Constitutional monarchy King  - 1949-1959 Sisavang Vong  - 1959-1975 Savang Vatthana Prime minister  - 1962-1975 Souvanna Phouma (several times) History  - Autonomy July 19, 1949  - Independence November 9, 1953  - Communist seize the power August 23, 1975  - established Lao PDR December 2, 1975 Area 236,800 km² (91,429 sq mi) Population  -  est. 3,100,000       Density 13.1 /km²  (33.9 /sq mi) Currency Kip

The Royal Palace in Luang Prabang

The Kingdom of Laos was a sovereign state from 1953 until December 1975, when Communists overthrew the government and created the Lao People's Democratic Republic.^[1] Given self-rule in 1949 as part of a federation with the rest of French Indochina, the 1953 Franco-Lao Treaty finally established a sovereign, independent Laos, but did not stipulate who would rule the country. In the years that followed, three groups contended for power: the neutralists under Prince Souvanna Phouma, the right-wing party under Prince Boun Oum of Champassak, and the left-wing, Vietnamese-backed Lao Patriotic Front (now called the Pathet Lao) under Prince Souphanouvong and future Prime Minister Kaysone Phomvihane. Flag Capital Hanoi Language(s) French Political structure Federation Historical era New Imperialism  - Established 1887  - Addition of Laos 1893  - Vietnam Declaration of Independence September 2, 1945  - Independence of Laos July 19, 1949  - Independence of Cambodia November 9, 1953  - Disestablished 1954 Area  - 1945 750,000 km2 289,577 sq mi Currency... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Laos. ... Motto ສັນຕິພາບ ເອກະລາດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ເອກະພາບ ວັດທະນາຖາວອນ Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity and Prosperity Anthem Pheng Xat Lao Capital (and largest city) Vientiane Official languages Lao Government Socialist Republic  -  President Lt. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The flag of Laos was adopted on December 2, 1975. ... The Laos coat of arms shows the national shrine Pha That Luang. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Pheng Xat Lao was composed by Dr. Thongdy Sounthonevichit (1905-1968) in 1941 and adopted as the national anthem of the Kingdom of Laos in 1947. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Throughout the world there are many cities that were once national capitals but no longer have that status because the country ceased to exist, the capital was moved, or the capital city was renamed. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Luang Prabang, or Louangphrabang, is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane, and the capital of Louangphrabang Province. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Until the reign of King Sai Setthathirat, the Lan Xang kingdom was based in Luang Phrabang, after which the royal seat moved to Vientiane. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Savang Vatthana (full name Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Vadhana) (13 November 1907 - 13 May (?), 1978 or 1984) was the last king of the Kingdom of Laos. ... This is a list of prime ministers of Laos Luang Prabang 1941–1945: Prince Phetsarath Kingdom (1945–1975) 1945–1946: Prince Phaya Khammao (chair of the provisional government) 1946–1947: Prince Kindavong 1947–1948: Prince Souvannarath 1948–1950: Prince Boun Oum 1950–1951: Phoui Sananikone 1951–1954: Prince Souvanna Phouma... Prince Souvanna phouma (7 October 1901-January 10, 1984) was the leader of the neutralist faction and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951 - 1952, 1956 - 1957, 1960 and 1962 - 1975. ... Look up autonomy, autonomous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pathet Lao (Laotian, Land of Laos) was a communist, nationalist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid 20th century. ... is the 336th day of the year (337th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... Kip may refer to: Kip (currency), the currency of Laos Kip (unit), a unit of force or mass Kip, Inverclyde, a village in Scotland Kipling Kip Ronald Dynamite, a character in the 2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite Kip is a slang term in the UK and Australia for sleeping or taking... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 260 KB) Summary Photo by User:Adam Carr, January 2006 Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 260 KB) Summary Photo by User:Adam Carr, January 2006 Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... In modern usage, the term communist party is generally used to identify any political party which has adopted communist ideology. ... Prince Souvanna phouma (7 October 1901-January 10, 1984) was the leader of the neutralist faction and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951 - 1952, 1956 - 1957, 1960 and 1962 - 1975. ... Boun Oum (also Prince Boun Oum or Prince Boun Oum Nachampassack) (December 12 , 1912 - March 17, 1980) was the son of King Ratsadanay, and was the hereditary prince of Champassack (replaced the king system). ... Prince Souphanouvong (July 13, 1909 - January 9, 1995) was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champassack, one of the Three Princes who represented respectively the communist, neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos. ... Kaysone Phomvihane Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13, 1920–November 21, 1992) was the leader of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party from 1955, though Souphanouvong served in a figurehead role. ...

Government

Following the Franco-Lao Treaty of 1953, which gave Laos independence, the Royal Lao Government took control of the country. This treaty established a constitutional monarchy, with Sisavang Vong as King and Prince Souvanna Phouma as Prime Minister. At this time, Luang Phrabang was the royal capital. Pre-1975 Royal Lao flag Royal Lao Government was the ruling authority in the Kingdom of Laos from 1947 until the communist seizure of power in December 1975 and the proclamation of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This is a list of prime ministers of Laos Luang Prabang 1941–1945: Prince Phetsarath Kingdom (1945–1975) 1945–1946: Prince Phaya Khammao (chair of the provisional government) 1946–1947: Prince Kindavong 1947–1948: Prince Souvannarath 1948–1950: Prince Boun Oum 1950–1951: Phoui Sananikone 1951–1954: Prince Souvanna Phouma... Royal palace museum of Luang Prabang. ...

Many attempts were made to establish coalition governments: a Government of National Unity was established in 1958 under Prince Souvanna Phouma, but only survived a few months. The Prime Minister, who under the constitution appointed his ministers and received advice from the King, made a deal with his brother Prince Souphanouvong: Souvanna Phouma gave the Communists two seats in the Cabinet, and in return Souphanouvong would integrate 1,500 of his 6,000 Communist troops into the royal army. His half-brother was given the post of Minister of Planning, Reconstruction and Urbanization, while another member of the Communist Party was named Minister of Religion and Fine Arts. Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Prince Souvanna phouma (7 October 1901-January 10, 1984) was the leader of the neutralist faction and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951 - 1952, 1956 - 1957, 1960 and 1962 - 1975. ... Prince Souphanouvong (July 13, 1909 - January 9, 1995) was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champassack, one of the Three Princes who represented respectively the communist, neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos. ...

Military

The Kingdom of Laos was divided into five military regions. The military was split into three branches: the Royal Lao Army, the Royal Lao Navy, and the Royal Lao Air Force, and placed under the control of the Ministry of Defense in Vientiane. Pre-1975 Royal Lao flag Royal Lao Government was the ruling authority in the Kingdom of Laos from 1947 until the communist seizure of power in December 1975 and the proclamation of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. ... The Royal Lao Air Force was the air force of the Royal Lao Government of the Kingdom of Laos. ...

The United States supplied the Royal Lao Navy with twenty river patrol boats and sixteen amphibious landing craft. Between 1962 and 1971, the United States provided Laos with an estimated US$500 million in military assistance, not including the cost of equipping and training irregular and paramilitary forces.

Foreign relations

The Royal Lao Government had close relations with the United States, who gave the country aid and assisted it in the campaign against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Communist movement. King Savang Vatthana visited the United States in 1963 to meet with President Kennedy. Pathet Lao (Laotian, Land of Laos) was a communist, nationalist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid 20th century. ... JFK redirects here. ...

Laos was also supported by France, Australia, Thailand, Japan and Burma.

Fall of the government

In 1960, amidst a series of rebellions, fighting broke out between the Royal Lao Army and the Pathet Lao. A second Provisional Government of National Unity formed by Prince Souvanna Phouma in 1962 proved to be unsuccessful, and the situation steadily deteriorated thereafter as the conflict in Laos became a focus for superpower rivalry. Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pre-1975 Royal Lao flag Royal Lao Government was the ruling authority in the Kingdom of Laos from 1947 until the communist seizure of power in December 1975 and the proclamation of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. ... Pathet Lao (Laotian, Land of Laos) was a communist, nationalist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid 20th century. ... Prince Souvanna phouma (7 October 1901-January 10, 1984) was the leader of the neutralist faction and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Laos several times, from 1951 - 1952, 1956 - 1957, 1960 and 1962 - 1975. ...

Alarmed by the growing power and influence of the Việt Minh, and fearing the spread of Communism, the United States began to provide aid to Laos in 1953, in the process engendering widespread corruption within the Royal Lao Government. American involvement increased further in the early 1960s, when, in response to a perceived Soviet-backed Communist attempt to take over Laos, which was in direct violation of the 1963 Geneva agreement, the US launched a covert war in Laos. This involved a great deal of military support, including the training and equipping of RLG General Vang Pao’s forces in Xieng Khouang Province by US Special Forces, teams and the ferrying of men and equipment into Laos from Thailand by the CIA’s commercial airline, Air America. The Việt Minh (abbreviated from Việt Nam Ðộc Lập Ðồng Minh Há»™i, League for the Independence of Vietnam) was formed by Hồ Chí Minh in 1941 to seek independence for Vietnam from France as well as to oppose the Japanese occupation. ...

A ceasefire was finally attained in February 1973, following the Paris Agreements between Washington, D.C. and Hanoi. In April 1974, another Provincial Government of National Unity was established, once more with Prince Souvanna Phouma as Prime Minister. However, by this time, Pathet Lao forces controlled large areas of the country, and following the fall of Saigon in April 1975 they advanced on the capital. Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: , Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - D.C. Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2... Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Ná»™i, Hán Tá»±: 河内)  , estimated population 3,145,300 (2005), is the capital of Vietnam. ... Combatants Democratic Republic of Vietnam National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Commanders Van Tien Dung Nguyen Van Toan Strength ~130,000 ~50,000 Casualties Trivial Unknown The Fall of Saigon (in Vietnamese: Sá»± kiện 30 tháng 4, or April 30 Incident) was the...

In December 1975 in Vientiane, Prince Vongsavang submitted the letter of abdication of King Savang Vatthana to the Pathet Lao. The Lao People's Democratic Republic was established with Prince Souphannavong as President. Kaysone Phomvihane acted as Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party . Savang Vatthana (full name Samdach Brhat Chao Maha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Vadhana) (13 November 1907 - 13 May (?), 1978 or 1984) was the last king of the Kingdom of Laos. ... The Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (Laotian: Phak Pasason Pativat Lao) is the Communist Party of Laos. ...

Aftermath

Many citizens and members of the old government were taken to re-education camps in remote areas of Laos following the coup. After the Communist takeover in 1975, the new government killed the Royal Lao family, along with civil servants and citizens suspected of aiding forces that opposed the Communist government.

Shortly after the takeover, the unit of currency was changed to the Kip. The military was also renamed. Kip may refer to: Kip (currency), the currency of Laos Kip (unit), a unit of force or mass Kip, Inverclyde, a village in Scotland Kipling Kip Ronald Dynamite, a character in the 2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite Kip is a slang term in the UK and Australia for sleeping or taking...

See also

• History of Laos since 1945

Good-luck charms of Prince Phetxarāt, who many Lao believe possessed magical powers, are widely sold in Laos today Continued from History of Laos to 1945 Note: this article follows the system for transliterating Lao names used in Martin Stuart-Foxs History of Laos // The Kingdom of Laos...

References

1. ^ Library of Congress - Laos - Glossary

External links

• Country Study - Kingdom of Laos