| dc.description.abstract | This thesis examines the intervention of the Kennedy administration (1961-1963) in the Lao Civil War (1959-1975) and how this was experienced by the Lao Hmong. As multiple foreign countries were involved in the Lao Civil War, and because of the combat between the Royal Lao Government and the communist Pathet Lao, the conflict was drawn into the global Cold War struggle. This thesis focuses on how Kennedy perceived and waged the Cold War in general, but also more specifically in Southeast Asia and Laos. Furthermore, this thesis investigates Kennedy’s intentions in Laos and how these manifested in his foreign policy by means of archival sources. Next to that, the experience of the Lao Hmong people vis-à-vis American involvement in their country is examined through analysing interviews with Lao Hmong people. Exposing both the American and Hmong sides provides for a comprehensive overview of the conflict. Accordingly, this research has found that Kennedy considered eliminating the communist threat in Southeast Asia as highly important. However, as Kennedy’s presidency evolved, he decided not to do so by intervening militarily in Laos. Instead, he chose to focus on fighting communism in South Vietnam. Nonetheless, in the following years, the CIA kept providing secret support for the Lao Hmong in their combat against the communists in Laos. For the Americans, the Hmong were merely assets to reach their goal. However, for the Hmong, their motive was rather different. After all, they fought against the communists only trying to preserve their lands and livelihoods. Despite these different motives, they collaborated because they had the same goal of defeating communism. | |
