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Cambodia Independence
Cambodia gains independence from France. -
Head of State Elected
Prince Norodom Sihanouk becomes head of state in Cambodia. -
Founded the Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge is founded by a group of intellectuals influenced by Maoism. -
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Khmer Rouge Established
The Khmer Rouge which was a communist group led by Pol Pot, rises in Cambodia. -
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United States Bombing
The United States begins a secret bombing campaign against Cambodia -
Start of Coup
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) launch a coup against Prince Sihanouk while he is on a trip abroad, and General Lon Nol becomes the new leader of Cambodia -
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Khmer Rouge and Lon Nol Regime
The Khmer Rouge launch a guerrilla campaign against the Lon Nol regime. -
End of Bombing Campaign
The United States ends its bombing campaign in Cambodia. -
Capture of Phnom Penh
The Khmer Rouge capture Phnom Penh and begin a radical program (Year Zero) of social engineering that leads to the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians. -
Vietnam Invasion
Vietnam invades Cambodia and overthrows the Khmer Rouge government. -
Rise of New Government
The People's Republic of Kampuchea (PRK), backed by Vietnam, is established as the new government of Cambodia. -
Withdraw of Vietnam Troops
The Vietnamese government announces that it will withdraw its troops from Cambodia. -
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The End of the Civil War
The Paris Peace Accords are negotiated between the warring factions in Cambodia, and provide for a ceasefire, the disarmament of all factions, and the holding of free and fair elections. -
UN Breaks Peace Agreement
The United Nations broke a peace agreement between the warring factions in Cambodia. -
End of Civil War
The Paris Peace Accords are signed, bringing an end to the civil war and foreign intervention in Cambodia. -
Fair Elections in Decades
Cambodia holds its first free and fair elections in decades, and a power-sharing agreement is reached between the royalist FUNCINPEC party and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), led by Hun Sen. -
Rule of CPP
A coup led by Hun Sen removes Prince Norodom Ranariddh from power and consolidates the rule of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). -
Pol Pot Death
Pol Pot, the former leader of the Khmer Rouge, dies while under house arrest. -
Khmer Rouge Dissolvation
The remaining leaders of the Khmer Rouge surrender and the group officially dissolves. -
Prosecution of Surviving Leaders
The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, is established to prosecute the surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. -
Conviction of Two Khmer Rouge Leaders
The ECCC convicts Khmer Rouge leaders Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan of genocide against the Cham Muslim and Vietnamese minority groups.