Transcript cambodia2
Cambodia Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, and is bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Phnom Penh (capitol city) Cambodia: Past and Present Cambodia: Past and Present • Indian traders from India sailed to modern day Cambodia to establish Indian trading ports (2,000 B.C). • Indian traders did not get involved with the politics and they did not colonize. • Indigenous people were less civilized and took what the traders offered. They adopted Hinduism as a religion. Buddhism in Cambodia Most Cambodians are Buddhist. It teaches people to seek self-enlightenment and abandon worldly things. Who is the founder of Buddhism? Today, Cambodians practice a mix of Buddhism, Hinduism, and ancestor worship. A shaman in Cambodia goes into trance, contacting the spirits who are unhappy and have made one of our group members sick. Cambodian shaman - YouTube Recent History • • • • • • • • 1860-Rediscovery of Angkor Temples by the French 1863-Cambodia becomes a French Colony (protectorate) for 90 years. 1908-1972 Archaeological activity, study and restoration of Angkor Temples 1953-gained independence from France Monarchy reinstalled Republic installed 1970-1975 Civil War (Killing Fields – ethnic genocide communists) Currently a Constitutional Monarchy Temples at Angkor Wat The beauty of Cambodia: Angkor City 'HD"photo journal by Michael Pluznick - YouTube 1975-1979 Reign of Terror Khmer Rouge During civil unrest within the country, the Khmer Rouge was able to gain power under the tyrannical communist leader Pol Pot. The goal was to bring Cambodia to year zero (pureblooded Khmer). Who does this remind you of? Pol Pot During the tumultuous reign of Pol Pot, Cambodia was brought back to the stone age. Over 2 million people were killed from starvation and mass murder (genocide). Schools, hospitals, homes, banks, roads, and the human mind were destroyed. The Killing Fields (The movie) Tribute to Survivors of the Killing Fields - YouTube Cambodia: The Present Cambodia: The Present Challenges Cambodia Faces • • • • • High unemployment Unstable government Poor education system Wide gap between the rich and the poor Extremely high poverty rate King Norodom Sihamoni