-
Cambodia becomes a protectorate of France
Cambodia becomes a protectorate of France. French colonial rule lasts for 90 years. -
Prince Norman becomes king
Prince Norodom Sihanouk becomes king. Cambodia is occupied by Japan during World War II. -
The Japanese occupation ends.
-
France re-imposes its protectorate
France re-imposes its protectorate. A new constitution permits Cambodians to form political parties. Communist guerrillas begin an armed campaign against the French. -
Cambodian Independence
Cambodia was granted independence within the French Union in 1949 -
Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political career
Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political career. His father becomes king and Sihanouk becomes prime minister. -
Sihanouk's father dies
Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk becomes head of state -
Sihanouk breaks off
Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US and allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in pursuance of their campaign against the US-backed government in South Vietnam. -
The US begins a secret bombing
The US begins a secret bombing campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil. -
Anti- Viatnamese riots broke out
On March 18, 1970, while Sihanouk was abroad, anti-Vietnamese riots broke out and Sihanouk was overthrown by Gen. Lon Nol. -
Cambodian army faces two enemies
Cambodian army faces two enemies: the North Vietnamese and communist Khmer Rouge guerriillas. Gradually, the army loses territory. -
Sihanouk is deposed in a coup while abroad
Sihanouk is deposed in a coup while abroad. The prime minister, General Lon Nol, assumes power. He proclaims the Khmer Republic and sends the army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia. Sihanouk - in exile in China - forms a guerrilla movement. -
Lon Nol is overthrown
Lon Nol is overthrown as the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot occupy Phnom Penh. Sihanouk briefly becomes head of state, the country is re-named Kampuchea. -
Genocide in Cambodia
Khmer Rouge rule what they call Democratic Kampuchea. Intellectuals and those who worked for prior government are killed. All Phnom Penh residents are deported to countryside for slave labor; massive death toll from murder and starvation occurs in northwest Cambodia; bloody purges attempt to eliminate all dissidents. Nearly two million citizens die. Khmer Rouge attacks over Vietnamese borders lead to a military invasion from now unified and well-armed Communist Vietnam. -
The Vietnamese take Phnom Penh
The Vietnamese take Phnom Penh. Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to the border region with Thailand. The People's Republic of Kampuchea is established. Many elements of life before the Khmer Rouge take-over are re-established.
