Chronology of Cambodian History, 1940-1949

Month/Day/Year 

1940 Chronology Of Cambodia History

July 20, 1940

French Adm. Jean Decoux is appointed governor of Indochina.

Aug. 29, 1940

Japan and France sign a political accord in which France recognizes Japan's special rights in Asia and in turn Japan recognizes a permanent France interest in Indochina.

Aug. 30, 1940

Franco-Japanese Treaty.

Sept. 4, 1940

US Secretary of State Hull warns the Japanese government that aggressive moves against Indochina would have an unfortunate effect upon opinion in the United States. ---------- French authorities in Indochina officially reject the Japanese request for passage of its troops on route to China.

Sept. 14, 1940

Thai PM Gen. Luang Bipul Songgram states that negotiations are under way with Indochina for the return of territory allegedly belonging to Thailand.

Sept. 17, 1940

Thailand demands France to return Cambodia and a large part of Laos.

Sept. 19, 1940

Japan gives France two days to accede to its demands in Indochina.

Sept. 21, 1940

French authorities refuse Japan the right to military bases in Tonkin.

Sept. 22, 1940

Japanese and French finally sign an accord in Hanoi granting permission for Japan to station 6,000 troops in Indochina and transit rights for larger forces.

Sept. 23, 1940

Japanese troops enter Indochina, crossing the Chinese border at Lang Son.

Sept. 26, 1940

Japanese forces begin their occupation of Indochina.  Earlier, the French Vichy government conceded the use of three airfields and several ports in Indochina to the Japanese. The United States had placed an embargo on the export of iron and steel scrap after Oct.15 to countries outside the Western Hemisphere except Great Britain.

Oct. 15, 1940

Thais demonstrate in the street of Bangkok in supporting their govt. demand for the return of territory from Indochina.

Oct. 16, 1940

French Vichy govt. orders its officials in Indochina to resist Thai incursion into Cambodia and Laos.

Nov. 5, 1940

Japan decides to back Thailand's territorial claims on Indochina on condition that Bangkok cooperation with Tokyo in the creation of a 'New Order in East Asia.'

Nov. 11, 1940

Thailand agrees to moderate its demands on territorial claim in exchange for Japanese promise of mediation.

Nov. 28, 1940

Reports from Thailand announce the bombing of Indochina areas after the alleged bombing of Thai positions around Nankorn Panom by French planes.

Nov. 29, 1940

Thailand orders French nationals to evacuate border provinces within 24 hours, after Thai patrols clash with Indochinese border guards at the Cambodian border.

Nov. 30, 1940

Thailand announces the occupation of the French Indochina districts of Banongkien, Bankokekrabang and Patruchai, as well as reprisal air raids on Thakhek and Savannakhet in the undeclared war.

Dec. 1, 1940

Thai attack the French in Cambodia; French troops are defeated.

Dec. 4, 1940

Reports say 20 native policemen were killed in new native uprising in western Cochinchina during a lull in the fighting on the Indochinese-Thai border.

Dec. 15, 1940

Governor of Indochina, Adm. Jean Decoux, stresses his desire for peace by saying he is ready at any moment to open negotiation with Thailand.

1941 Chronology Of Cambodia History

Jan. 1, 1941

French navy defeats Thai navy at Koh Chhang.

Jan. 4, 1941

French Vichy decrees dominion status of Indochina.

Jan. 10, 1941

Taking advantage of the French defeats in Europe, Thai attacks French positions in Laos and Cambodia, gaining control over most of Cambodia's Northwestern.

Jan. 14, 1941

French Gen. Mordant arrives in Saigon from France to take command of Indochinese army.

Jan. 29, 1941

Japanese, French and Thai representatives start armistice negotiations to stop border hostilities between Thailand and Indochina.

Jan. 31, 1941

Under Japanese auspices, an armistice is arranged to end hostilities which had broken out between Thailand and French in Indochina. The Japanese obtain rice, rubber, coal, and minerals from Indochina, and confirm their military occupation.

Feb. 7, 1941

Peace conference between Thailand and French Indochina opens in Tokyo.

Feb. 22, 1941

A Vichy report says France has rejected a Japanese-sponsored proposal whereby Thailand would receive approximately one-third of Laos and Cambodia.

Feb. 24, 1941

Peace talks in Tokyo is extended for 10 days at Japan's request since no agreement could be reached within the original time frame which will expire the next day.

Feb. 26, 1941

Japan presents a final mediation plan for the settlement of the border dispute between French Indochina and Thailand.

Feb. 28, 1941

Japan warns France must accept its mediation plan today or face the consequences.

March 2, 1941

French Ambassador to Japan, Charles Arsene-Henry, indicates that his Vichy govt. accepts virtually all the Japanese demands.

March 9, 1941

French Vichy announces peace conference in Tokyo has reached a full accord on the Indochina-Thailand border dispute.

March 11, 1941

France and Thailand conclude a treaty, signed in Tokyo on May 9, whereby Thailand acquires the section of Laos province west of the Mekong River, three-fourths of the Kampong-Thom province, and territory in northern Cambodia.

March 12, 1941

Japanese newspaper Asahi says that Indochina and Thailand have pledged they will not enter into any agreement with a third power hostile to Japanese interests.

March 19, 1941

French officials in Indochina protest to Japanese military officials that Thailand has violated the peace agreement on March 11.

April 23, 1941

King Sisowath Monivong dies; his nineteen-year-old grandson, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, is chosen to succeed the late King.

April 25, 1941

Prince Sihanouk is crowned king of Cambodia. [2]

May 6, 1941

Japan and France sign two agreements in Tokyo for economic collaboration between Japan and Indochina.

May 9, 1941

French-Thai peace conference ends in Tokyo with a treaty stating that any future dispute between Thailand and French Indochina will be mediated by Japan.

Aug. 4, 1941

Vichy asserts that France signs the agreement with Japan because "enemy concentrations were threatening" Indochina.

Dec. 29, 1941

Jean de Lens, interim Resident Superieur.

1942 Chronology Of Cambodia History

July 18, 1942

Two monks, Achar Hem Chieu and Nuon Duong, are arrested on charge of inciting violence against the French.

July 20, 1942

Anti-French demonstration in Phnom Penh.  Son Ngoc Thanh and Pach Chhoeun organize an anti-French demonstration in Phnom Penh that involve over five hundred monks and as many civilians.  Led by Chhoeun, the group marches to the office of the French chief administrator, where Chhoeun presents a petition to the French authorities calling for the immediate release of two monks, Achar Hem Chieu and Nuon Duong.  The French refuse the petition, which enrage demonstrators who break into the chief office, attaching French officials and smashing furniture.  As the result, Chhoeun is arrested and jailed at Kok Poulo Condor.  Thanh goes into hiding and soon escapes to Battambang, where he seeks and is granted asylum to live in Japan where he spends the last two years of the war in Tokyo. [3][24]

Dec. 19, 1942

Achar Hem Chieu and Nuon Duong are condemned to death; later their sentences are commuted to life imprisonment and sent to Koh Poulo Condor, where they meet with many of Vietnamese communists such as Pham Van Dong.

Dec. 26, 1942

Son Ngoc Thanh arrives in Tokyo.

1943 Chronology Of Cambodia History

 

March 2, 1943

Goerges Armand Leon Gauthier, Resident Superieur.

OTHER EVENTS HAPPENED IN 1943

- Princess Bopha Devi is born.

1944 Chronology Of Cambodia History

Jan. 2, 1944

Prince Norodom Ranariddh is born.

OTHER EVENTS HAPPENED IN 1944

- Excavation begins at Angkor Thom (The Great City).

1945 Chronology Of Cambodia History

 

Feb. 7, 1945

US aircraft bombs Phnom Penh; Unalom pagoda is hit, injuring 20 people.

March 9-12, 1945

Cambodia declares independence. On March 9, the Japanese stage a coup de force throughout Indochina, imprisoning French officials, military personnel, and interning other French citizens.  Soon after, the Japanese ask the rulers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to declare independence.  King Sihanouk complies on March 12.

March 18, 1945

King Sihanouk becomes Prime Minister (03/18/45-08/13/45).

March 23, 1945

French cabinet says Indochina will be granted partial self-govt. after the war and that its citizens will be declared citizens of the "French Union" which will include France and all parts of the imperial community.

May 30, 1945

Son Ngoc Thanh returns from exile in Japan to serve as Cambodian Foreign Minister.

July 18, 1945

Annam emperor Bao Dai declares independence.

Aug. 14, 1945

Son Ngoc Thanh becomes Prime Minister (08/14/45-10/16/45).

Aug. 14, 1945

Japan capitulates.  Emperor Hirohito of Japan announces unconditional surrender of the second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. 9.  The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6. [Oxford Companion to WW II p.1336-1337]

Oct. 8 1945

British troops enter Phnom Penh and disarm Japanese forces.  French military units filter back into Cambodia and gradually reassert their control of the colony.

Oct. 15, 1945

French Gen. Leclerc arrives in Phnom Penh from Saigon and arrests Prime Minister Son Ngoc Thanh, who is accused of being a traitor.

Oct. 17, 1945

Prince Sisowath Monireth becomes Prime Minister (10/17/45-12/15/46).

1946 Chronology Of Cambodia History

Jan. 1, 1946

The Cambodian School for Officers is established.

Jan. 7, 1946

Cambodia is granted autonomy (Modus Vivendi).  France recognizes Cambodia as an autonomous kingdom within the French Union, permitting Cambodians to draft a constitution and form political parties.

Jan. 23, 1946

US State Dept. bars American-flag vessels from carrying troops or ammunition for use in suppressing anti-colonial revolts in French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies.

May 27, 1946

Fighting breaks out along the Indochinese-Thai border in an area ceded by Vichy France to Thailand in 1941 but claimed by the present French govt.

May 31, 1946

Electoral law is promulgated to allow the election of a Consultative Assembly, which would approve a draft constitution.

June 1, 1946

France asks US and British support for its demand that Thailand return the Indochinese territory ceded by the Vichy govt. in 1941.

July 15, 1946

Thailand formally submits its border dispute with Indochina to the UN Security Council.

Sept. 1946

Election for a 67-seat Constituent Assembly is held.  The Assembly is to approve a draft constitution, which had been formulated by a joint Franco-Khmer commission. The Democratic Party, led by Prince Sisowath Yuthevong, wins 55 seats; the French-sponsored Liberals Party win 14 seats and 3 seats are won by independents.

Sept. 14, 1946

Ho Chi Minh and French Colonial Minister Marius Moutet sign an accord in Paris after two months of negotiation, recognizing French property and business interest in Vietnam and the right of France to conduct French education.  One important issue, the Vietnamese claim of Cochinchina, remains unresolved.

Oct. 15, 1946

Thai parliament approves the cabinet's decision to return, the ceded territory by the French Vichy in 1941, to Indochina - Cambodia and Laos.

Nov. 9, 1946

Ho Chi Minh's govt. approves a new constitution for the DRV without mentioning Vietnam membership in the French Union and claims Cochinchina as an integral part of Vietnam.

Nov. 18, 1946

French and Thai negotiators agree to create a commission consist of French, Thai and neutral representatives to study the dispute over the Cambodian-Thai border.

Dec. 15, 1946

Prince Sisowath Yuthevong becomes Prime Minister (12/15/46-07/17/47).

Dec. 25, 1946

French High Commissioner for Indochina Adm. Thierry d'Argnlieu, in a Christmas message, says: "France does not intend in the present stage of evolution of the Indochinese people to give them total and unconditional independence."

Dec. 27, 1946

Fighting between French forces and Vietnamese nationalists spreads to Cochinchina, in which 24 civilians are killed.

OTHER EVENTS HAPPENED IN 1946

- Former Prime Minister Son Ngoc Thanh, arrested on charges of treason, is tried in Saigon and then exiled to France.

- Thailand returns to Cambodia the two provinces, Battambang and Siem Reap, which were retaken at the start of WWII.

- The first Indochina War begins.

1947 Chronology Of Cambodia History

 
Jan. 1, 1947

French troops suppress Khmer rebellion.

Jan. 8, 1947

French Defense Ministry places all regular army and air force troops on call for service in Indochina.

Jan.31, 1947

French liner Lle de France arrives in Indochina with 8,000 French troops.

Feb. 4, 1947

France recognizes the provisional govt. of Cochinchina, under Pres. Levan Hoach, as a "free state within the French Union."

March 5, 1947

Emile Bollaert is appointed French High Commissioner for Indochina, succeeding Adm. Georges Thierry d'Argenlieu.

March 14, 1947

French National Assembly concludes three days of acrimonious debate on Indochina, with Radical and Republican Party deputies accusing the Communists of aiding rebellion in the colony.

March 22, 1947

French National Assembly gives PM Paul Ramadier a unanimous vote of confidence on the govt.'s Indochina policy.

May 6, 1947

Cambodia's first constitution is promulgated.

June 27, 1947

A five-nations mediation commission in Washington concludes six weeks of deliberations by rejecting Thailand claims to territory in Indochina.

July 1947

Prince Sisowath Yuthevong, leader of the Democrat party, died.

July 25, 1947

Prince Sisowath Watchayavong becomes Prime Minister (07/25/47-02/20/48).

Aug. 12, 1947

Thailand abandons its claim to territory in Indochina.

Dec. 1947

The first election is held for National Assembly under a new constitution, which had been promulgated in May. Again, the Democrats gained a majority by winning 55 of 75 seats.  Mr. Chheam Van becomes Prime Minister.

1948 Chronology Of Cambodia History

Jan. 1, 1948

The Excise Office is transferred from the French to the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Feb. 20, 1948

Chheam Van becomes Prime Minister (02/20/48-08/14/48).

June 5, 1948

French Indochina High Commissioner Emile Bollaet and conservative Vietnamese political leader Nguyen Van Xuan sign the Bay of Along agreement, establishing a provisional Vietnamese govt. in Tonkin, Annam and Cochinchina.  France retains control over the new state's foreign and military affairs.

Aug. 1948

Chheam Van's government collapses.

Aug. 15, 1948

Penn Nouth becomes Prime Minister (08/15/48-01/21/49)

Dec. 9, 1948

UN General Assembly adopts a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

1949 Chronology Of Cambodia History

 

Jan. 16, 1949

France urges former Vietnamese emperor Bao Dai to return to Vietnam as head of a French-sponsored provisional govt.

Feb. 12, 1949

Penn Nouth resigns his premiership; he is replaced by Yem Sambaur (Prime Minister 02/12/49-09/20/49).

March 10, 1949

Sam Rainsy is born.

March 12, 1949

French National Assembly approves a govt. plan to establish a territorial govt. in Cochinchina.

April 23, 1949

Cochinchina's Territorial Assembly votes for union with Vietnam, repudiating French plans for a semi-autonomous Cochinchinese state.

April 28, 1949

Bao Dai arrives in Dalat to head a new French-sponsored Vietnam Union.

May 21, 1949

French National Assembly approves a measure changing the status of Cochinchina from a French colony to an autonomous member of the Indochinese group within the French Commonwealth.

June 14, 1949

Bao Dai resumes the title of Emperor of Vietnam, claiming sovereignty over Annan, Tonkin and Cochinchina.

June 19, 1949

French Pres. Vincent Auriol and Bao Dai sign an agreement establishing a semi-autonomous Vietnamese state.

July 19, 1949

France signs an agreement recognizing Laos as an independent member of the French Commonwealth within the Indochinese federation.

Aug. 1949

Saloth Sar/Pol Pot leave Phnom Penh for France to study. He is going on a government scholarship. [3]

Sept. 1949

King Norodom Sihanouk dissolves the National Assembly.

Sept. 20, 1949

Ieu Koeus becomes Prime Minister (09/20/49-09/29/49).

Sept. 29, 1949

Yem Sambaur becomes Prime Minister (09/29/49-04/28/50).

Nov. 8, 1949

Franco-Cambodian Treaty is signed in Paris between the High representatives of France and Cambodia. [Text of the treaty]

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