In which year did Cambodia gain its independence?

Player #24358685, I suspect that any request for protectorate status usually follows some pressure or threats from the protector And states do not normally do these things without a serious self interest

The concept of protectorates is leaving me a bit confused. Often, I will read about someone--usually the Brits--showing up and, being so much more powerful tban the locals, declaring a protectorate. It just always seemed that they still called the shots but used that term instead of colony. Here we have the king of Cambodia requesting to be a French protectorate. I guess I'll need to hit tbe books tonight.