9 th - 14 th Century: Khmer Empire ruled – Angkor- seat of Khmer Empire- world’s largest pre-industrialized civilization – Angkor Wat- the most famous and best preserved temple in Angkor (first Hindu, then Buddhist)

Colonized by France in 1800s Occupied by Japan in 1940s Gained independence from France Nov. 9, 1953 – Became a constitutional monarchy French colonial mansion in Cambodia

90% is Khmer and speak Khmer language French is sometimes spoken by older generation Cambodian French is often spoken in government Religion- Buddhism Buddhist art in Cambodia

French for Red Khmer- Cambodian Communist Party- ruling party Pol Pot- leader of Khmer Rouge – Eliminate anyone suspected of involvement in free market activates – No families- children were torn from parents and taught torture techniques – No education- executed intellectuals and people with glasses (stereotype) – No religion – Like Hitler- targeting groups to kill Pol Pot

Thought the farmers in the rural area were proletariat and represented the true working class (Maoist) -Moved people from urban to rural areas (collective farms) -Factories, schools, and hospitals were closed -Abolished banking, finance, and currency

1/5- 1/3 of the population died- overworked, starved, executed Tortured and killed “enemies” : – People with connections to former gov’t or foreign gov’t – Professionals and intellectuals – People who were not Cambodian or practiced religion – Economic sabotage- mainly those from urban areas who did not know much about agriculture

End of Power Vietnamese troops tired of thousands of Cambodian refugees & border clashes w/ K.R invade & capture Phnom Penh- set up communist govt. Khmer Rouge retreat to jungle- continue civil war

Today Pol Pot died while under house arrest in possibly poisoned Reunited under monarch in 1993 UN backed trials of leading Khmer Rouge officials Growing economy – Agriculture – Tourism – Textiles – Oil found and drilling will begin in can lead to HUGE economic increase POL POT VIDEO