Kingdom of Cambodia
Cambodia, 1953–1970. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Kingdom of Cambodia, also known as the First Kingdom of Cambodia, refers to Norodom Sihanouk's first administration of Cambodia, lasting from the country's independence from France in 1953 to a military coup d'état in 1970. From 1955 until 1970, Sihanouk's Sangkum was the sole legal party in Cambodia. As the Vietnam War escalated, Cambodia sought to retain its neutrality but in 1965, North Vietnamese soldiers were allowed to set up bases and in 1969, the United States began a bombing campaign against North Vietnamese soldiers in Cambodia. The Cambodian monarchy was abolished in a coup on 9 October 1970, headed by Prime Minister Lon Nol, who established the Khmer Republic.
Seat of power: Phnom Penh
Rulers
Norodom Sihanouk
King of Cambodia, 1941–1955
He abdicated in 1955 and was succeeded by his father, Suramarit, so as to directly participate in politics. Sihanouk's political party, Sangkum, won the general elections that year, and he became prime minister of Cambodia. He governed the country under one-party rule and suppressed political dissent.
Portrait of Norodom Sihanouk: (unknown, Abaca Press claims ownership but claim is doubtful), Public domain, file
Norodom Suramarit
King of Cambodia, 1955–1960
He was King of Cambodia from 3 March 1955 until his death in 1960. In 1955, Sihanouk abdicated in favor of his father.
Culture
- It is in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa, of the style seen at the temple at Banteay Srei and other Khmer historical sites.
- The Independence Monument was designed by the Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann.
Picture
The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh was built in 1958 to memorialise Cambodia's independence from France in 1953.
Image: PsamatheM, CC-BY-SA-4.0, file
Sources
- Kingdom of Cambodia (1953–1970) (Wikipedia)
- Kingdom of Cambodia (Wikidata)
- About the picture (Wikipedia)
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.