Indochina
Indochina Peninsula of se Asia, including Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, West Malaysia, and Laos. The name refers more specifically to the former federation of states of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, associated with France within the French Union (1945–54). European penetration of the area began in the 16th century. By the 19th century, France controlled Cochin China, Cambodia, Annam, and Tonkin, which together formed the Union of Indochina in 1887; Laos joined in 1893. At the end of World War I, France announced plans for a federation within the French Union. Cambodia and Laos accepted the federation, but fighting broke out between French troops and Annamese nationalists, who wanted independence for Annam, Tonkin, and Cochin China as Vietnam. The war ended with the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu. French control of Indochina officially ended at the Geneva Conference of 1954.
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Indochina
