This video takes you to understand the past of the former overlord of Southeast Asia.
What kind of country is Cambodia? It used to be the overlord of Southeast Asia, and the Angkor Dynasty was a god-like existence. Why did it become one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia? What did it go through?
Glorious Past: Angkor Dynasty
First, come to the museum to see the former Angkor Dynasty. The territory includes most of the areas that are now Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, all of which belong to the Angkor Dynasty. There are traces of human activities in 4200 BC, and it has gone through several periods: the Funan Dynasty, the Zhenla Period (including Angkor), and the Cambodian Period.
The rise and fall of the Angkor Dynasty is accompanied by such a pattern. After chaos and turmoil, there is always a powerful monarch who appears to unify the empire, then expands the territory, and then builds new buildings. Angkor was built by Suryavarman II and dedicated to the Hindu goddess Vishnu.
How did such a powerful dynasty as Angkor in Cambodia decline? Due to the siltation of waterways at that time, a lot of energy was invested in building temples, coupled with religious conflicts and the rise of neighboring countries. The Angkor Dynasty gradually declined. It once became a vassal state of Thailand and Vietnam. Thailand looted Angkor in 1431. Eventually, it became a French colony in 1863. Today, when we look back at history, we can see that after becoming a colony, it actually avoided the fate of national destruction. Cambodia at that time also saw the benefits of being colonized, so it opened its doors and was willing to be ruled. During the French colonial period, many buildings were built, including the Grand Palace.
Colonized: Grand Palace
After the withdrawal of France and Japan, Cambodia finally became independent on November 9, 1953. The king at that time was Sihanouk, and the current king is Sihanouk's son. After independence, peace and prosperity were won. This was a golden age for Cambodia.
There is a saying in Cambodia: Sihanouk is Cambodia. His leadership was the key to Cambodia's independence.