Summary
Highlights
Early inhabitants of Cambodia, closely resembling modern Cambodians, lived in villages, fished, herded, and cultivated rice. Indian culture gradually influenced Cambodia, bringing religion (Hinduism and later Buddhism), a written script, absolute monarchy, architecture, and astronomy by the 5th century AD. This era saw the rise of an elite class, contrasting with the commoners described by the Chinese as unkempt.
Cambodia became a formidable power with the Khmer Empire, a Hindu-Buddhist state sustained by rice farming and slave labor. The elite enjoyed lavish lifestyles, conducting military campaigns and commissioning grand constructions. Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious building and an architectural masterpiece, likely serving as a mausoleum. Jayavarman VII marked the empire's prime, followed by a decline in power.
Sri Lankan monks introduced Theravada Buddhism, which became Cambodia's main religion. Exhausting wars with neighbors like Siam led to the empire's collapse in the 1400s. By the 19th century, a weakened Cambodia was divided between Siam and Vietnam, leading King Norodom to accept French protection, making Cambodia part of French Indochina. The French abolished slavery and introduced modern advancements. After Japanese occupation in WWII, Cambodia gained independence in 1953.
King Norodom Sihanouk maintained neutrality during the Cold War but was overthrown. The subsequent civil war led to the rise of the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot. Influenced by Marxism, Pol Pot enforced radical policies, outlawing religion, banning Western influence, and emptying cities, forcing people onto collective farms. This era resulted in 2 million deaths, a quarter of the population, from forced labor, starvation, torture, and execution in the 'killing fields'. Vietnam eventually invaded and occupied Cambodia until 1992. Today, Cambodia faces challenges of dictatorship, corruption, and poverty, despite economic growth and tourism focused on its ancient wonders.