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Cambodia wins its independence from France, under Kind Sihanouk its name becomes the Kingdom of Cambodia
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Disappearance of Cambodian Communist leader Tou Samouth and Pol Pot takes his place and plans for rebellion
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US escalation of the Vietnam war; Sihanouk breaks relations with the US
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Pol Pot’s group of Cambodian communist launch as insurgence (revolt or uprising) against Sihanouk in northwest Cambodia
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US bombardment of Vietnamese sanctuaries in Cambodia begins
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The Khmer Repiblic. Coup against Sihanouk establishes General Lon Nol as President of a US- backed regime, Sihanouk joins forces with Vietnamese and Cambodian communists
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US bombards Cambodian countryside in support of Lon Nol 250,000 tons of bombs are dropped in a period of 7 months
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Pol Pot defeats Lon Nol army and take Phnom Penh
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Pol Pot eliminates communists and other moderates, Cambodia launch’s military attacks on all 3 of its borders
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Cambodia declines to negotiate with Vietnam over the border war, massive purges spark uprising in eastern Cambodia
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People’s Republic of Kampuchea. Vietnamese troops invade and overthrow Pol Pot regime. Former eastern zone rebel Heng Samrin is proclaimed President
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First Paris Conference on Cambodia fails. Vietnamese troops withdraw from Cambodia. Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge and their allies (including Sihanouk) resume their attempt to retake power
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Pol Pot executes Son Sun and is then placed on house arrest
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Pol Pot dies in his jungle hideout