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| 3. Laos and Cambodia |
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(See 1893)| The situation after the First World War in Indochina and Malaysia was comparatively quiet, marked by rapid expansion of administrative control, development of sanitation and education, and above all by increase of population and productivity. The extension of rubber plantations in particular had a profound effect on the economic setup in many of the states. Some progress was made toward the introduction of a popular element in government, and in all parts of the region (least in the Malay states) there was a growing demand for national recognition. The Great Depression after 1930 struck all states equally hard, led to the adoption of economic control measures by the governments, and called forth a considerable amount of labor agitation, with some communistic tinges. The great Asian crisis after 1931 revealed the exposed position of the whole area, and in all states measures were taken to strengthen defenses. The completion of the harbor works, dry dock, airfield, and fortifications of Singapore (June 1937) made that crucial port what was considered to be one of the strongest places in the world. | 1 |
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| 1922 |
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| Elected members added to colonial council that assisted the governor-general. The council was reorganized along functional lines in a system similar to British dyarchy. Three high positions were awarded to Lao elite, who had charge of the interior; justice, education, and religion; and finance, public works, commerce, and agriculture. The elite, including King Sisavangvong (r. 1904–54), had been trained in the French educational system as engineers and lawyers; such persons could serve as technical staff for the French colony. | 2 |
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| 1930 |
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| Buddhist Institute founded in Phnom Penh (Laos established its own institute in 1937) to counter the influence of Thai newspapers, books, radio, and Buddhist education of monks in Siam. Founded under the joint patronage of the Cambodian monarch, the king at Luang Prabang in Laos, and the French to encourage Buddhist studies in Cambodia and Laos, the institute in fact led to an intensification of the relationship between the Cambodian monarch and his people. As the institute began printing Buddhist texts in Pali and Cambodian, and organizing conferences, it became the center of intellectual life in the region. | 3 |
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| 1936 |
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| Founding of Cambodian-language newspaper, Nagarasvata (Angkor Wat). | 4 |
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| 1940–41 |
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| INDOCHINA WAR resulted in the French losing sizable portions of territory to Thailand (See 1941, Jan. 31). As a result the French had to renegotiate with the king of Laos at Luang Prabang to strengthen and expand his powers. This state of affairs initiated an awareness on the part of the Laotian elite of the possibility of freedom from French control. At the same time, since France had to cede to Thailand the Lao provinces on the west bank of the Mekong, reaction against Thai culture followed as well. | 5 |
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| 1941 |
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| The French started weekly newspaper and radio broadcasts in Lao; the Laotian elite attempted to break with Thai culture by introducing romanized script for Lao language, to replace the Thai script previously used. | 6 |
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| Oct |
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| The Cambodian monarch, Sisowath Monivong (r. 1927–41) died; to strengthen their hand against the Thai, the French passed over the heir apparent in favor of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, then 18 years old and in a French school in Saigon, to succeed. | 7 |
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