Timeline: Cambodia history

Jan 1, 1953

independence on Cambodia

Declared independence from France

Mar 2, 1963

Armed Rebellion

Leaders of the Khmer Rouge flee their home base of Phnom Penh and begin an armed rebellion.

Jan 1, 1969

Secret bombings

US begins a secret bombing campaign on the Vietnamese guerrillas in Cambodia

Mar 18, 1970

Lon nol leader

Lon Nol associtated with the Americans overtook the Prince and became leader

Apr 1, 1975

Lon Nol surrenders

Lon Nol was forced to surrender as the Americans pulled out of Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge was then free to rule Cambodia and turned on their former enemies with swift and brutal action.

Apr 12, 1975

Capture of Phnom Penh

Khmer Rouge forces led by Pol Pot capture capital of Phnom Penh.

Apr 17, 1975

first rename

Cambodia is re-named Kampuchea

Sep 17, 1975

Beginning of the Genocide

After an american attack on Cambodia, Lon Nol begins the Genocide.

Apr 17, 1976

Renamed

The country is renamed Democratic Kampuchea.

Jan 21, 1977

Start of the war

Cambodia and Veitnam start a war between eachother

Jan 1, 1978

Vietnam invades Cambodia

Cambodia was invaded by the Vietnamese army and clamied Cambodia. Following this, the United States helped the Khmer Rouge regain power. The USA did this because the Vietnamese represented the Soviet Union, enemies of the US.

Jan 6, 1979

Fleeing to Thailand

Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to the border region with Thailand.

Jan 7, 1979

Vietnamese troops in Phnom Penh

Vietnamese troops enter Phnom Penh and establish a puppet government with current Prime Minister Hun Sen. Rouge flee to the countryside.

Jan 7, 1979

End of the Genocide

After four years the genocide ends

Jan 14, 1985

Hun Sen prime minister

Hun Sen is appointed as prime minister of Cambodia's Vietnam-installed government.

Sep 26, 1990

Veitnam pulls out

Around the 1990's, Vietnam withdraw from Cambodia as it is too difficult to stay. The economic crisis in Vietnam was a reason why the withdrew. Also is the lack of support from allies such as the Soviet Union.

Mar 16, 1992