Cambodia Independence

By Thai Huynh

          The Cambodia we know today have a long past of colonial and invasions by foreign country ranging from kings to protectorate. In 1884, the French sent a small force to the royal palace in Phnom Penh in an attempts to establish control of Cambodia. With a successful invasion, the French quickly reforms numerous Cambodian politics by overthrowing monarch’s power and reduce their power, alters the country’s culture and damage the economic growth of the country.

          When the French colonial rules Cambodia, they changed the country’s political form to a more equal human right such as abolishment of slavery because slaves were a big problem before the French took over, women are trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labor or as as domestic servants. Children were also trafficked for sex and labor in and organized ring of begging, soliciting, and street vending. Also, the French took charge of Cambodia’s foreign and trade relations with other country impacting political changes in economy side.

          After the French hold control of Cambodia, they shifted the culture throughout the country. The French architect were developed in Phnom Penh City and many other provincial towns which still exist as of today in the capital of Cambodia. However, some building were owned by private citizens stopping the French from changing the original Cambodia architect form of the building. On the street in culinary aspect, the use of bread also altered with the use of French bread, people often eat these breads with red curry.

          On the economy aspects of Cambodia during the French took over, they heavily tax Cambodia as they’re heavily relied on it for the colonies to continue but these citizens pay taxes in hope of the French protecting their country from the Vietnamese and their invasion. Because of this, the country were poor and unstable leading to many protests in the later year when the country is on the verge of falling apart. As the result of the protests, Cambodia gains it independence on November 9 of 1953.

          In the end, Cambodia have free itself from the French colonization through protesting after the French change the country’s political form, culture and damaged its economy. But because of the French colonization, the French might have introduced new ideas and culture and helps the developments of the country in the aftermath.