Write an essay comparing and contrasting the impact of French colonialism (to 1954/55), Cold War conflicts (1954/55-1975), and Communist governments and continuing conflicts (1975-1995) on the Vietnamese and people of Laos.

Write an essay comparing and contrasting the impact of French colonialism (to 1954/55), Cold War conflicts (1954/55-1975), and Communist governments and continuing conflicts (1975-1995) on the Vietnamese and people of Laos.

In your essay, emphasize how these developments (colonialism, Japanese occupation, “Cold War” wars, and “post-war” conflicts) divided these societies and increasingly engulfed the people of the selected countries in political and economic turmoil and violent conflict.

Some Guidelines for Writing Your Essay
* Be concise; emphasize your analysis and comparisons.
* Without getting consumed by the details, be explicit in your presentation of the material, discussing-
-when necessary–the key events, developments, and personalities.
* Be comparative, that is, discuss the main similarities and differences between the two groups as apart of your analysis.
For efficient results, your essay should be divided into five parts, as follows:

1. An introduction that is brief and to the point, stating the groups you are writing about and
declaring a preliminary hypothesis that will anticipate your conclusion. Here it will also be important to briefly explain some of the major differences between the Vietnamese and the other group you have selected. Introduction: no more than one paragraph.

2. A concise discussion of the overall impact of French colonial rule (to 1954/1955) on the two
peoples. This section: two solid paragraphs, with another brief comparative summary.
You should concentrate on: major transformative changes in the two societies; indigenous
responses (collaboration, resistance, nationalism, and communism); and the impact of the
Japanese occupation period and the First Indochina War. Focus on the most pertinent
developments and try to avoid over-telling the history.

3. A concise discussion of the overall impact of the Cold War on the two peoples (1954/55-
1975). This section: two solid paragraphs, with another brief comparative summary.
Here the emphasis should be on external interventions (by the US or communist nations:
USSR and/or PRC), based on the “cold war” objectives of each: what hardships did the
conflicts and violence of this period impose on the two peoples (Vietnamese and Laos) and what kinds of choices were thousands of people forced to make? How did these choices and alliances influence their situations by the end of this period (1975), resulting in the flight of thousands of people?

4. A concise discussion of the overall impact of the coming to power of Communist governments
and the continuing violence and conflicts after 1975 to the early 1990s. This section: two solid
paragraphs, with another brief comparative summary. How did the treatment of the two groups of people differ? How did the post-1975 situations disrupt these societies even further and ultimately influence the continued flight of thousands of people from their countries of residence?
5. A conclusion that is brief and to the point, stating the major similarities and differences that
you feel are important to emphasize between the Vietnamese experience in comparison with the people of Laos. The conclusion: no more than one paragraph.

Rubric (Check before submit)

(25 points)

15 points – The essay follows the correct format outlined in the exam instruction above. Note: You should review the exam instruction above carefully.

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