2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. French for Red Khmer- Cambodian Communist Party- ruling party 1975-79 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

6. 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

10. 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

11. End of Power Vietnamese troops tired of thousands of Cambodian refugees & border clashes w/ K.R. 1979- invade & capture Phnom Penh- set up communist govt. Khmer Rouge retreat to jungle- continue civil war

12. Today Pol Pot died while under house arrest in 1998- 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 2013- can lead to HUGE economic increase POL POT VIDEO