Timeline of Cambodian history

The origins of the Khmers

Prehistory of Cambodia

Evidence of pots dating back to 4200 B.C.

Stable, organised societies that spoke languages similar to present day Khmer by 1st century A.D.

Khmer people were some of the first people to adopt religious and political ideas from India.

Funan Period

1st to 6th Century

Cambodia composed of a

collection of small states –

Funan was one

Funan was a major sea port – major role in transmission of culture into Cambodia including the introduction of Hinduism.

Chenla Period

6th to 8th century

Another one of the states that

existed during the Funan period

Gained independence and conquered Funan

When the king governing this empire (Jayavarman I) died, the kingdom was divided into Land Chenla and Water Chenla

Khmer Empire/Angkorian Era

9th-13th century

King Jayavarman II brought the remnants of Chenla together under his control

The famous Angkor Wat was built during this era by King Suryavaman II as a devotion

to a Hindu god, Vishnu

Jayavarman VII was

another King that existed

during this era Mahayana Buddhist

Around 13th century,

Theravada Buddhism was

introduced by monks from

Sri-Lanka which eventually

became the prominent religion in

Angkor

Dark Ages of Cambodia

After the death of King Jayavarman VII

– empire experienced great decline

Angkorian kingdom lost control of the

peripheries

Involved in power struggle between Vietnam and Siam/Thailand

French Colonial Period

1863 – King Norodom signed treaty with French to establish protectorate and eventually became a colony of the French

WWII also occurred during this era and the Japanese empire occupied much of Cambodia during 1941-1945

Eventually the French governor general enthroned Norodom Sihanouk as king thinking he was easy to manipulate

However Sihanouk helped Cambodia gain independence from the French in 1953

Pol Pot• Born in 1925 and died in 1998

• Leader of Khmer Rouge

• Member of French Communist Party

• Became leader of Cambodia in 1975

Khmer Rouge

Motto- To keep you is no benefit. To destroy you is no loss

Attempts at agricultural reform which led to famine, diseases and death

Killed many intellectuals, city dwellers, minority people

Approximately 2.1 million people died (21% of the Cambodian population)

Year Zero

Cambodia; Phnom Penh taken over by Pol Pot

Drastic revolution:

All moved to the countryside to become agricultural workers. Money becomes worthless, basic freedoms are curtailed and religion is banned.

genocide

The total death toll during the next

three years is estimated to be at

least 1.7 million.

Idea behind year zero?

1975:

Cambodia re-named Kampuchea

1976:

Re-titled Democratic Kampuchea

1977:

War with Vietnam

1978:

Vietnam invades Cambodia

1979:

Vietnamese forces take Phnom Penh. Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge troops

flee.

The people’s republic of Kampuchea is establied.

1989:

Vietnamese troops withdraw and the country is re-named the state of Cambodia.

Uneasy Peace

1991 - A peace agreement is signed in Paris. Sihanouk becomes head of state.

1993 - The monarchy is restored, Sihanouk becomes king again. The country is re-named the Kingdom of

Cambodia.

The government-in-exile loses its seat at the UN.

1994 - Thousands of Khmer Rouge guerrillas

surrender in government amnesty.

1996 - Deputy leader of Khmer Rouge Ieng

Sary forms a new party and is granted

amnesty by Sihanouk.

1998:

Pol Pot dies

2004:

Norodom Sihamoni son of Shihanouk becomes king.

2005:

Tribunal to try Khmer Rouge leaders gets green light from UN.

Many Khmer Rouge leaders are tried and given varies punishments.