111 For its salvation as a nation Cambodia looked up to France, and the ensuing course of events turned out to be thus. In 1841, Vietnam (Nguyên dynasty of Hué) temporarily annexed Cambodia, but they endured unpleasant experiences due to the defiance posed by Cambodian Buddhist monks. Prince Ang Duong who was in Thailand at the time returned home escorted by soldiers of the Kingdom of Siam, peace with restraints was mutually offered by both nations, and the revival of the kingdom was achieved. The king had spent part of his youth as a page in the Rattanakosin dynasty (Bangkok dynasty), and had faced quite a few struggles. King Ang Duong was crowned in 1847, but both nations stipulated that only King Ang Duong of this one generation would be accepted. After King Ang Duong had died it was decided to divide the land, with the west side of the Mekong River going to Siam and the east to Vietnam. Nonetheless though in 1847, Vietnam, which was governed by the Nguyên dynasty, was subjected to coastal bombardment by French warships, and due to their being fully engrossed in coping with that crisis they were in no state at all to intrude deeply into Cambodia. In Thailand as well a politically tense situation had surfaced. Since lower Burma became British territory in 1852, fears arose in Thailand as to whether they too would in time be colonized by Britain. The concern experienced by these two nations owing to their links with Britain and France, turned out into becoming a chance of a lifetime for Cambodia. Cambodia thereupon contacted France, which from 1853 had favored colonial expansion. The succeeding King Norodom (who reigned from 1860-1904) signed in 1863 a treaty of protection with France, and in the name of the French Protectorate political intrusion by both the neighboring nations was cut off. Until this point was reached the links Cambodia had with Siam and Vietnam had lasted a few centuries, and for Cambodia they were indeed a heavy burden. One might even perhaps say they were a nationwide catastrophe.
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