VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > F. South and Southeast Asia, 1945–2000 > 2. Southeast Asia, 1941–2000 > b. Mainland Southeast Asia > 3. Cambodia
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
(See March 10)
 
3. Cambodia
 
In March 1945, King Norodom Sihanouk, with the approval of the Japanese, who had earlier taken over the government, proclaimed Cambodia's independence and set up a government under Premier Son Ngoc Thanh, a leader in the movement for independence. In October, British, Indian, and French troops occupied Phnom Penh, the capital, and sentenced Son Ngoc Thanh to house arrest in Paris. Early in the following year France accorded Cambodia internal autonomy, and finally in the autumn of 1949 granted de jure independence while retaining control of defense, foreign affairs, and internal security.  1
 
1951, Oct
 
Son Ngoc Thanh returned, but he fled the capital when his virulent anti-French campaign led King Sihanouk to close his newspaper.  2
 
1952, June 15
 
King Sihanouk dismissed the cabinet and National Assembly, and led the government himself, promising a plebiscite at the end of three years.  3
 
1953, May 9
 
French-Cambodian protocols were signed to assure Cambodia of “full sovereignty” in military, judicial, and economic matters.  4
 
June 14
 
King Sihanouk left for voluntary exile in Thailand as a dramatization of his country's demands for complete independence. He returned suddenly, on June 20. Amid mounting tension with France, Cambodian army units seized control of all government buildings.  5
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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