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Cambodia becomes a protectorate of France.
France takes over Cambodia this rule lasts for 90 years. -
Prince Norodom Sihanouk becomes king
Prince Norodom Sihanouk becomes king. He would eventually lead Cambodia to its independence from France. -
Period: to
Cambodia occupied by Japan
In 1941 during WW 2 Japan occupies Cambodia. The occupation ended in 1945. -
Cambodia wins its independence from France
Under king Sihanouk, it becomes the kingdom of Cambodia. -
King Sihanouk becomes prime minister
Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political career. His father becomes king and Sihanouk becomes prime minister. -
Sihanouk father dies.
Sihanouks father died making Sihanouk head of state. -
Cambodia cuts ties with the U.S.
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. -
Sihanouk gets overthrown and the Khmer republic starts war with the north Vietnamese
Prime Minister Lon Nol overthrows Sihanouk in coup. 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. Over next few years the Cambodian army loses territory against the North Vietnamese and communist Khmer Rouge guerrillas. -
Cambodia year zero
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.
All city dwellers are forcibly moved to the countryside to become agricultural workers. Money becomes worthless, basic freedoms are curtailed and religion is banned. Khmer Rouge coin the phrase "Year Zero".
Hundreds of thousands of the educated middle-classes are tortured and executed in special centres. -
The country renamed
The country is re-named Democratic Kampuchea. Sihanouk resigns, Khieu Samphan becomes head of state, Pol Pot is prime minister. -
Period: to
Fighting breaks out with Vietnam, and
Fighting breaks out with Vietnam. Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning assault. In 1979 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. -
Is renamed the kingdom of Cambodia once again
Vietnamese troops withdraw. Hun Sen tries to attract foreign investment by abandoning socialism. The country is re-named the State of Cambodia. Buddhism is re-established as the state religion. -
Peace agreement with Paris
A peace agreement is signed in Paris. A UN transitional authority shares power temporarily with representatives of the various factions in Cambodia. Sihanouk becomes head of state. -
The monarchy restored
General election sees the royalist Funcinpec party win the most seats followed by Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
A three-party coalition is formed with Funcinpec's Prince Norodom Ranariddh as prime minister and Hun Sen as deputy prime minister. The monarchy is restored, Sihanouk becomes king again. The country is re-named the Kingdom of Cambodia. The government-in-exile loses its seat at the UN. -
A coup against the prime minister
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. -
Genocide charges against Khmer Rouge leaders is passed
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. -
Bridge across Mekong river
First bridge across the Mekong River opens, linking east and west Cambodia. -
Hun sun re-elected
After nearly a year of political deadlock, Prime Minister Hun Sen is re-elected after CPP strikes a deal with the royalist Funcinpec party. Parliament ratifies kingdom's entry into World Trade Organisation (WTO). King Sihanouk abdicates and is succeeded by his son Norodom Sihamoni. -
CCP claims victory
Hun Sen's ruling CPP claims victory in parliamentary elections criticised by EU monitors. Cambodia and Thailand move troops to disputed land near Preah Vihear temple after decision to list it as UN World Heritage Site fans nationalist sentiment on both sides. -
Tension rises
Tensions rise as Cambodia charges two Thai citizens with spying after they were arrested for crossing the disputed border. Respective forces exchange fire across the border. Hun Sen calls for UN peacekeepers. Three most senior surviving Khmer Rouge members, including leader Pol Pot's right-hand man, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, go on trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Cambodia and Thailand agree to withdraw troops from disputed area. -
Border tension eases
Cambodia and Thailand withdraw their troops from a disputed border area near the Preah Vihear temple in line with a ruling by the International Court of Justice which aims to halt outbreaks of armed conflict in recent years. -
King Sihanouk dies
Former king, Norodom Sihanouk, dies of a heart attack. He was 89. -
30 years in power
Prime Minister Hun Sen marks 30 years in power. -
Kim ley dead
Kem Ley, a political commentator and prominent critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen is shot dead in the capital Phnom Penh. -
Treason
Opposition leader Kem Sokha is charged with treason. -
New leader
Human rights activist Kem Sokha is appointed as the new leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), replacing Sam Rainsy. -
Cambodia national rescue no more
Supreme Court dissolves the Cambodia National Rescue Party, the country's only significant opposition party. -
Cambodia introduces lese-majeste law
Cambodia introduces lese-majeste law, which makes it a criminal offence to defame or insult the king.