our-ASEAN.blogspot.com - Cambodia has a rich and interesting history. Cambodia is the first man in the Stone Age hunters and gatherers. But agriculture was introduced to Cambodia around 2300 BC. The
first farmers in Cambodia using stone tools, but from around 1500 BC
Cambodia using tools and weapons were made of bronze. By about 500 BC they had learned to use iron.
The first civilization in the area appeared around 150 AD in the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam. This civilization is known as the Chinese call it Fu - nan.
While Fu - nan traded with China Cambodian society grows more sophisticated. Settlements grow larger. Similarly kingdom. At the beginning of the 7th century AD all of Cambodia is very civilized.Cambodia initially divided into rival states. But at the beginning of the 9th century a king named Jayavarman II founded the Khmer Empire in Cambodia.
THE EMPIRE IN CAMBODIA KHMER
Like
all the early civilizations of the Khmer empire very agricultural
community, there are many craftsmen Although most people are farmers. Their staple food is rice.
Khmer are animists. They believed that spirits inhabited natural phenomena such as the earth and the trees. Then the Indian religions ( Hinduism and Buddhism ) are introduced, but they co-exist with traditional beliefs. The rich and powerful built temples fine ( the only stone building in Cambodia ). They are richly decorated with fine stone carvings. The most famous temple of Angkor Wat was built in the early 12th century. For a strong and prosperous Cambodia. Then around the year 1000 AD King Jayavarman V died. Followed by civil war until Suryavarman I founded another dynasty . By 1011 he controlled Cambodia. But his dynasty lasted until 1080 when it was replaced by another.
At 1177 people called Chams of Champa ( Vietnam coast ) invaded Cambodia. But
King Jayavarman VII managed to drive them out by 1183 and between 1203
and 1220 he was able to force the Chams to submit to him. But in the mid- 13th century Khmer empire was in decline.
At 1431 the Thais captured the Cambodian capital of Angkor. After it was abandoned and a new capital was established in Phnom Phen. In the mid 16th century Angkor overgrown by the jungle and was accidentally rediscovered by a king of Cambodia.
CAMBODIA 1500-1800
During the 16th century Cambodian forces continued to decline. At the end of the century, Cambodia fell under the rule of the king of Thailand ( out of control ). 1594 people arrested at the Thai capital. After that they dominate the region.
From the mid- 17th century Vietnam growing strength. In the early 17th century Cambodians are now controlled part of South Vietnam. They held port called Prey Nokor. ( Later it was renamed Saigon ). In the late 17th century Prey Nokor fell under the rule of Vietnam.
During the 18th century Cambodia finds itself sandwiched between two powerful neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam. Thais invade Cambodia several times in the 18th century and in 1772 they destroyed Phnom Phen. In the last years of the 18th century Vietnam invaded Cambodia as well. Cambodian king was forced to look to Thailand for protection. In return Thailand took the north - western Cambodia.
CENTURY 19 IN CAMBODIA
In the early 19th century King Chan ( 1806-1834 ) turned to Vietnam for the protection of Thailand! The
Thailand disturbed by this policy and when the uprising occurred in
southern Vietnam in 1833 they took advantage by invading Cambodia. But the king of Vietnam crushed the uprising and Thai troops retreated.
Vietnamese emperor consequently strengthening his power over Cambodia. When
the King of Cambodia Chan died in 1834, one of his daughters was named
the Queen and Vietnamese people living in Cambodia. Vietnam considers Cambodia as 'barbaric' try an 'civilized' them with lessons Vietnamese customs.
Resentment at Vietnam's influence led to rebellion in 1840-1841. Thai man struck again to re- assert their control of Cambodia. But in the 1850s the French missionaries arrived in Cambodia. Cambodian king turned to France to protect him from both Thailand and Vietnam. So in 1863 Cambodia became a protectorate of France.
CENTURY 20 IN CAMBODIA
Under French rule lasted several economic development in Cambodia. Roads and railways built in the 1920s and rubber industry grow. But Cambodia was forced to pay heavy taxes and from the 1930s Cambodian nationalism grew.
Then, in 1941 Cambodia was occupied by the Japanese. But
at first they let the French officials to remain at their posts, but
in March 1945 as Japan lost the war, they desperately try to curry favor
with Cambodia. They capture the French officials and declared Cambodia independent. But when Japan surrendered French took over again. They arrived in October 1945.
This time France did allow Cambodia to have political parties and the constitution. With the 1949 agreement created a semi - independent Cambodia. Then in 1952, King Sihanouk dissolved the government and took personal control of the country. Events then moved quickly. On
9 November 1953 the French were finally allowed Cambodia to become
fully independent in 1955 Sihanouk abdicated in favor of his father and
the election was held.
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| King Norodom Sihanouk |
Sihanouk formed his own political movement. From 1955-1970 he dominated politics in Cambodia so much that it is sometimes called 'Sihanouk era'. In 1960, when his father died, he called himself 'Head of State'. Sihanouk called the movement 'Buddhist Socialism'. But it does not really socialist at all.
Sihanouk government began to crumble in 1968 when the communists began a civil war. In 1970 Sihanouk left the country. While he was gone the National Assembly as to remove him as head of state. Cambodia was renamed the Khmer Republic. But the communists slowly making progress. The Americans bombed Cambodia to try and stop the communists. However, they captured Phnom Phen on April 17, 1975.
THE KHMER ROUGE IN CAMBODIA
In 1975 the era of terrible and tragic history of Cambodia began in the reign of the Khmer Rouge . They are led by Pol Pot (or Saloth Sar) also known as 'Brother Number One'. How
many people are killed by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge are not known for
certain, but it may at least 1.5 million and possibly as many as 3
million. Pol Pot declared that history will begin again in Cambodia. The first year was the first year of the revolution now history.
In 1975 Cambodia is a country primarily agricultural. Pol Pot decided it should actually farm. This means that all the people of the cities and towns were forced to move to the countryside. Pol Pot was also decided that the agricultural output must double in 4 years ( the target is completely unrealistic ). Private property is prohibited and collective farms formed. They are supposed to grow 3 tons of rice per hectare ( again the target completely unrealistic ). The people were made to work very long hours to try and grow extra rice. They were given enough food and many fell ill and died from a combination of exhaustion and malnutrition.
That's not all. Religion was banned in Cambodia ( people caught practicing Buddhism executed ). Family relationships are prohibited ( for the reason that parents exploited their children ). In addition to the smallest violation of the rules resulted in execution. Although they are half- starved people caught for food executed. People were executed for being lazy. Needless to say anyone who complained were executed .
In addition to the Khmer Rouge killed intellectuals. Soon people who can speak a foreign language or who wear glasses executed. This situation is a nightmare only ended with the war with Vietnam. Vietnam invaded Cambodia in December 1978 and quickly won. Unfortunately Pol Pot fled and he did not die until 1998.
More about tyrants
Army Pol Pot fled to Thailand and they were greeted by a Thai who fear the invasion of Vietnam. Khmer Rouge continued guerrilla war against Vietnam. But Vietnamese troops withdrew from Cambodia in 1989.
Once negotiations began between several different parties. The result is the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement. Abandoned
communism in Cambodia and the interim government to rule until 1993
when elections were held and the constitution was framed. Sihanouk made a constitutional monarchy.But the Khmer Rouge refused to take part in the elections and they continued their guerrilla war. Fortunately in 1996 Pol Pot 's second Ieng Sary defected in 1996. Many Khmer Rouge troops to follow. Pol Pot himself died in 1998 , and peace returned to Cambodia.In 1999 Cambodia joined ASEAN.
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| Witness the History of Cambodia |
CAMBODIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY
In 2004 King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated. His
son became King Norodom Sihamoni in his place. Today Cambodia is a poor
country but there are many reasons to be optimistic about his future. In the early years of the 21st century Cambodian economy grew rapidly. Cambodia suffered during the recession in 2009, but soon recovered and is now growing strongly. Currently in Cambodia's textile industry is booming. Tourism is also an important industry in Cambodia. But many people in Cambodia are still living with farming.
In 2005 oil was discovered in the sea off Cambodia and holds great promise for the future. Today the Cambodian population is 14.9 million, with a percentage of 48.6 % men and 51.4 % women.
