French Indochina was a colonial territory in Southeast Asia, established by the French in the 19th century. It included present-day Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The region was governed by France from 1887 until the mid-20th century, during which time the French implemented various economic and social changes. The colonial period saw significant infrastructure development, including railways and roads, but also led to resistance movements among the local populations. The struggle for independence culminated in the First Indochina War, which ultimately resulted in the end of French colonial rule in 1954.