The fact of prehistoric Cambodia now still remains unable to explain. A very little evident show that there are some tools form a cave discover as early as 4000 bc, which can mark the first Cambodian arrival, so it can be concluded that Cambodian people arrive long before the date.
Funan Khmer Kingdom Period (1st - 6th century)
The beginning of Cambodian history started noted as documents when the first ever arrival of foreigner, Chinese, in the place. According to the report made by Chinese trader that Cambodia was a coastal place. From the 1st to 6th centuries, Cambodia was known as Funan. Funan was visited by two Chinese people and they report every aspect of life in that time.Having a big influence by India, Funan leader took the religious of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism.
Chenla Khmer Kingdom Period (6th – 8th century)
From 6th to 7th centuries, Cambodia was known as Chenla. The capital of Chenla was known as Sambor. The kingdom was integrated from Funan to Chenla by two strong kings, Mahendravarman and Isanavarman. Most of Cambodia culture involved from Indian Culture including religious, art, alphabet, and architecture style. These Idealizations play a very virtual role in modern Khmer culture.
Angkor Period (8th - 15th century)
It started in 8th century and ended in 15th century. This is the period when Cambodian people made the best and largest temples of all time. Angkor Wat temple marked the Khmer emperor. The temple was firstly planned and built by King Suyavarman II but the building was not fully finished, so it was left until King Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII was also the builder of Bayon temple at Angkor Thum and several other large Buddhist temples. He was the only king who cared about his people. He also built rest houses along roads and many hospitals, especially irrigation systems to make sure that everyone can make three rice crops a year.
Khmer Kingdom made its way to the peak power of its history. It started to invade and conquer most parts of present day such as Thai, Vietnam, Burma, and part of Malay Peninsula. Khmer emperor colonized some small kingdom and tribes. The king received tributes from kingdom under its power, including Thai and Vietnam. According to inscription indicate that the Khmer kingdom at that time usually suffered from foreign invasion and rebellion.
The decline of the Angkor period started from 13th century to 14th century. No historians know for sure why Khmer kingdom started to decline. This may caused the uprising of Thai Kingdom and rebellion in the local area. Another factor may have been the impact of introducing Theravada Buddhism in Khmer Kingdom. The new religious is absolutely different from Hinduism. Theravada Buddhism taught everyone that its followers could reach Nirvana by meditation and stop killing.
Cambodia Critical Period (15th - 18th century)
Until the middle of 15th century, the whole Khmer Kingdom was at war. The invasion of Ayutthaya Kingdom, Dai Viet, and Toungoo brought Khmer Kingdom to its knees. Now Ayutthaya Kingdom evolved into Thailand, Dai Viet evolved into Vietnam and Toungoo evolved into Myanmar. The huge waves led by the three enemies devastated the whole area and close to destroy the kingdom. However the Khmer Kingdom still could detain its identity and its culture. For four centuries, after the kingdom was slowly destroyed and abandoned Angkor, there is very little information related to the critical period. It still remains to be the dark side in Cambodia's history now.
During 1516-1566, the reign of King Ang Chan, the king took the attack back to the invader, Thai. It strengthened the Kingdom back to its power. Later Cambodia again ruled the city of Angkor. The kingdom was influenced by Spanish form 1576 to 1599. The Spanish helped Cambodia to attack with Thai and protect Cambodia from other invaders.
Form 17th to 18th century, The kingdom was on its own surviving the territory against the invaders until the French Colonization in 1963.
French Colonization Period (1863-1953)
It caused Cambodian people 90 years living under French colonization. French accepted the request asked by The King Norodom Sihanouk to protect Cambodia from the invader Thai and Vietnam. The weak kingdom was protected by the powerful country French and it could stop the war between Cambodia and the two invaders. Even the war stopped but it didn't mean Cambodia was in peace, Cambodia needed to face with new enemy which was French.
French provided Cambodia many valuable time and support to strengthen the kingdom but drew back a few impacts to Cambodian people. The most valuable support of French for Cambodia was to protect and even got back the three provinces from Thai. The French Administration neglected education but built roads, ports, and other public work places.
For instance, Cambodia economic increased during the French rule. Cambodia received little budget from French compared to Vietnam which also under French control. At that time Cambodia also exported rubber and rice. Moreover, the French conserved and restored the old temples especially Angkor temple. The French also studied Cambodian's history and deciphered Angkorean inscriptions.
One serious impact was that even Cambodia exported a lot but very little benefits it could get back to the citizens. They even paid a very high tax compared to Vietnam. These serious situations led to rebellion. There were several rebellions happened during The French colonization and some French people were killed.
After World War II, The French Administration was imposed and allowed Cambodia to build their own constitution and form political party. Cambodia gained a full independent peacefully in 1953 by the great king Norodom Sihanouk.
Sangkum Reastr Niyum Period (People's Socialist Community) (1953-1970)
The king Norodom Sihanouk resigned his throne in favor of his father to gain a full-time political career. He formed his own political party which was known as Sangkum Reastr Niyum or People's Socialist Community. Election in 1955 and became the first Prime minister of Cambodia.
Later the Cold War began to intensify in Asia. The war in Vietnam drew Cambodia in the middle field, which meant that Cambodian must chose its way whether Communist USSR or United State. USSR supported North Vietnamese while United State supported South Vietnamese. The two sides tried to persuaded the king to support their side to bolster in the regime. The king chose to be neutral but lately the diplomatic between broke off when United State suspected communist Vietnamese based in Cambodia. United State started to bomb Cambodia and killed many civilians. The situation in Cambodia became harder and harder.
Khmer Republic Period (1970-1975)
In March, General Lun Nol leaded a coup successfully and deposed Sihanouk. This time Cambodia stood in United Stated side and sent troops to fight communist Vietnamese. But with his poor equipments, his troop lost to North Vietnam army.
Next year a group named Khmer Rouge referred to Sihanouk was formed and led attack on Lun Nol government. At the time the fighting between Cambodia and North Vietnam still continued, so Khmer Rouge kept opening attack on Lun Nol government. Until 1975, the Khmer Republic collapsed despite the support of United State. Khmer Rouge ruled Phnom Penh then the whole country.
Democratic Kampuchea Period (1975-1979)
On 17 April 1975, the government of Lun Nol finally reached its ending and was overthrown by Pol Pot. They immediately captured Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. They forced people to leave the city and walk on their foot to countryside for agricultural task. At that time they claimed Cambodia as a Democratic Kampuchea, which put Cambodia away from international relationship. To ensured that their Democratic Kampuchea, Pol Pot saw every well educated people as their enemies. Teachers, students, former officers, soldiers and other well educated people were killed during the four years under Khmer Rouge regime. They changed all previous institutions and established a new one. Their objective was to teach everyone to use guns including young teenagers. During the four years under Khmer Rouge control, everything was destroyed but the most shocking result 1.7 million deaths by killing and starvation.
During the ruling of Khmer Rouge, they also attacked the neighboring countries to reclaim the lost territories in the past. As the war became worse with Vietnam, Vietnam led assault back with support by a group of Cambodian rebel. On 7 January 1979, the Democratic Kampuchea was overthrown by Vietnam troops. But the fall of Democratic Kampuchea didn't mark the end of Khmer Rouge; some of their troops went in to the forest along Thailand border and led guerilla war against the new young government. As the war remained unstop until 1980s thousand people more were dead.
New Born Cambodia (1979-Present)
After the fall of Pol Pot's Regime, the civil war still happened in the country and the new form government led by Vietnam must fight with the remain troops of khmer Rouge, meanwhile, develop the country. In 1989, Vietnam troops withdrawn from Cambodia.
In 1991, the King Norodom Sihanouk returned to Cambodia to form a new government and led the country until the first election in 1993.
In 1993, UN led the government to form a new constitution restoring the monarchy and naming the Kingdom of Cambodia. Norodom Sihanouk is the king of Cambodia. In May 1993, the first ever general election sponsored by UNTAC brought Cambodia as a real democracy country. The result was that FUNCINPEC won most seats while CPP was the second. The result was not satisfying the CPP leader Hun Sen. It came out with a three coalition form a government with 2 Prime Minister. Prince Norodom Ranariddh from FUNCINPEC was the first Prime Minister and Hun Sen from CPP was the second Prime Minister.
As the coalition government worked together there were many problems but never perfectly solved. Despite the problems, the coalition government still could work together until the next election. On July 1998, the second election began but the result was not the same. This time CPP won the most popularity among the votes and Cambodia had only one Prime Minister, Hun Sen but not enough to form government by them. To form a government with one party, they must gain 2/3 of the total election. So the three party coalition government still be part of the counrty which participated by CPP and FUNCINPEC.
In 2005 King Norodom Sihanouk resigned from his throne and was replaced by his son, Norodom Sihamoni. His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni is the son of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk and of Her Majesty Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk of Cambodia.