The Process of Unblocking Laos: Linking Indochina (1893–1945)

Abstract With the establishment of the Indochinese Federation, the French colonial government implemented policies to develop the transport system in the colonies, connecting Laos with other regions in the Indochinese Federation. Previous studies have mainly focused on demonstrating the development of the transport network in Vietnam or highlighting the limitations of the French colonial government in investing in the development of transport in Laos. This article aims to redefine the role of the French in developing the transport network and infrastructure in Laos in order to break its isolation and associate this country with the rest of the Indochinese Federation. These policies had a long-term influence on the development of modern Laos when the development of Lao trade shifted from dependence on the Mekong River and the port of Bangkok to commercial circulation by many transport services on many different transnational roads directed towards the ports of Indochina.