From 1893 Laos remained a relatively peaceful French protectorate until the Second World War, when it was seized by Japan. As the war drew to a close, the Japanese encouraged the growth of nationalist movements to forestall the return of French power. Despite these efforts the French re-entered Laos. Soundly defeated, the Free Laos moved to Thailand. In 1949 a splinter fraction made its way into northern Vietnam and contacted the anti-French Viet Minh forces. Commonly as the Pathet Lao, and trained and equipped by the Viet Minh, these forces would eventually plunge Laos into another bloody war.