Cultural life
Before 1970, Cambodian culture and artistic expression were informed by the greatness of the past. The Khmer empire owed much to Indian influence, but its achievements also represented original contributions to Asian civilization. The magnificent architecture and sculpture of the Angkor period (802–1432), as seen in the temple complexes at Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, marked a high point of Khmer creativity. Following the capture of Angkor by the Tai (15th century) and the crumbling of the empire, the region underwent four centuries of foreign invasions, civil war, and widespread depopulation. It was not until the establishment of the French protectorate in 1863 that internal security was restored, the country’s borders stabilized, and efforts undertaken to revive traditional Khmer art forms. After Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953, the government placed particular emphasis on accelerating that revival. This coincided with the rapid expansion of primary and secondary school facilities and the emergence of education as the most important factor of social mobility.