What did France do to Cambodia?

In 1946, France allowed the Cambodians to form political parties and to hold elections for a Consultative Assembly that would advise the monarch on drafting the country’s constitution. The two major parties were both headed by royal princes.

Why did the French colonize Cambodia?

Colonial Era – Cambodia Enters the Wider World: 1863 – 1953. When French explorers arrived in Cambodia in the early 1860s, they were seeking to expand French commercial interests in Southeast Asia, and believed that Cambodia, or more precisely the Mekong, were a gateway to China.

When did the French put the control in Cambodia?

French Colonialism The French established the borders of present-day Cambodia, which are mainly set on the ridges of mountain ranges. Cambodia became a French protectorate in 1864. In 1867, it joined Vietnam (Cochin China, Annan and Tonkin) to form French Indochina.

What was the conquest of Vietnam by France?

The conquest of Vietnam by France. The decision to invade Vietnam was made by Napoleon III in July 1857. It was the result not only of missionary propaganda but also, after 1850, of the upsurge of French capitalism, which generated the need for overseas markets and the desire for a larger French share of the Asian territories conquered by the West.

What was life like under the French rule of Vietnam?

Paul Doumer, who arrived in 1897, French rule was imposed directly at all levels of administration, leaving the Vietnamese bureaucracy without any real power. Even Vietnamese emperors were deposed at will and replaced by others willing to serve the French.

How did the French get involved in Vietnam?

The naval expedition arrived off Vietnam’s shores in 1858. The French military quickly made its presence felt. By 1862, the French had conquered the Mekong delta area and forced Vietnamese Emperor Tu Duc (1829–1883; ruled 1847–1883) to sign the Treaty of Saigon.

How did Cambodia gain independence from the French?

Militarily, the French were in so much trouble by July that on July 3 they declared themselves ready to grant full independence to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. King Sihanouk became a hero in the eyes of his fellow Cambodians and returned to Phnom Penh in triumph. Independence became official on November 9, 1953.