Laos was subjugated to French colonialism in the late nineteenth century. The French saw Laos primarily as an extension of their Vietnam colony. After a period of Japanese occupation during World War II, and the conclusion of the first "Indochina" war, Laos gained its independence in 1953. Gradually Laos was drawn into the vortex of the Cold War, and a struggle developed between the Communist faction, called the Pathet Lao, and the pro-Western regime of the Royal Lao government. In 1957, 1962, and again in 1973, there were unsuccessful attempts to form coalition governments. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Royal Lao government received substantial financial and military assistance from the United States, making Laos a hyper-dependent country. Politics during this period were characterized by chaos, significant infighting among rival factions, and numerous military coups. U.S. military assistance was part of the "secret war in Laos" orchestrated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) through front organizations such as Air America. It was not until 1973 that a ceasefire agreement was signed between the Pathet Lao and the government forces of Prince Souvanna Phouma.
Read more: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Laos-POLITICAL-BACKGROUND.html#ixzz3p4hIOKsD