Cambodia Timeline

  • Under the French rule

    French coloinal rule lasts for 40 years.
  • Occupided by Japan

    Cambodia is occupied by Japan during World War II
  • Japan leaving

    The Japan occupation ends
  • Armed against the French

    France re-imposes its protectorate. A new constitution permits Cambodians to form political parties. Communist guerrillas begin an armed campaign against the French.
  • Becoming Independent

    Cambodia wins its independence from France. It becomes the Kingdom of Cambodia.
  • Death Happens

    Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk becomes head of state.
  • Breaking off from United States

    Sihanouk break off relations with the United States and allows north vietesname to come and set up bases in Cambodia.
  • Secrets Start

    The U.S. Begins to plan a secret bombing campagin against North Vietsname forces on Cambodian soils.
  • Losing Territory

    Over the next few years Cambodia loses land against North Vietsname after losing in a War.
  • Torture

    During this year Cambodia everyone is moved out and into a country side and some get beaten to death and other sit there and starve to death.
  • Re-naming begins

    The country is re-named Democratic Kampuchea. Sihanouk resigns, Khieu Samphan becomes head of state, Pol Pot is prime minister.
  • Fighting breaks out

    Fighting breaks out over Vienam.
  • Invading

    Vietsname forces invade in a lighting assault
  • Fleeing to the Border

    The Vietsname take phom penh. Pol pot and khmer Rouge forces to flee to the border regin in thailand.
  • Prime Minister

    Hun Sen becomes Prime Minster. Cambodia is plauged by guerilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands become refrugees.
  • Withdrawing

    Vietsnam troops withdrew form helping Cambodia.
  • Peace

    A peace agreement is signed in Paris between the French and Cambodia.
  • Monarchy Restored

    The monarchy is restored, Sihanouk becomes king again.
  • Thousands surrender

    Thousands of Khmer Rouge gurellias surrender in government amnesty.
  • Forming a new Party

    Deputy leader of Khmer Rouge leng Sary forms a new party and is granted amnesty by Sihnaouk.
  • Life imprisonment

    Hun Sen mounts a coup against the prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, and replaces him with Ung Huot. The coup attracts international condemnation. The Khmer Rouge put Pol Pot on trial and sentence him to life imprisonment.
  • Dies in Hideout

    Pol Pot dies in his jungle hideout.
  • Found Guilty

    Prince Ranariddh is tried in his absence and found guilty of arms smuggling, but is then pardoned by the king.
  • Elections are won

    Elections are won by Hun Sen's CPP, amid allegations of harassment. A coalition is formed between the CPP and Funcinpec. Hun Sen becomes prime minister, Ranariddh is president of the National Assembly.
  • Setting up a tribunal

    A law setting up a tribunal to bring genocide charges against Khmer Rouge leaders is passed. International donors, encouraged by reform efforts, pledge $560 million in aid.