the decline of the Khmer Empire
Many climate scientists today would argue that the Khmer Empire rose to power during a time of which had favourable weather (950-1250CE). To them, this period is known as the 'Medieval Warm Period'. They also often point to another weather pattern to explain how the Khmer Empire crashed, the 'Little Ice Age', a period in which the weather was very unstable (1350-1850CE). In addition to the changes in the weather, it is possible that there may also have been some lasting impact from wars and Black Death, a lethal plague that struck Asia, Africa and Europe during the 14th century. The following are the reason as to why the Khmer Empire crashed down:
Changes in weather pattern: |
This affected the empire because when the drought took place, the empire had no water to maintain its irrigation systems and to grow its crops. If the water water supply decreased, the canals would have drried up and been damaged.
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war: |
This affected the empire because during the war, the Ayutthayans damaged the irrigation system in Angkor and they also stole many of Khmer's slaves, leaving less people to maintain the irrigation system and to plant and harvest the crops.
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plague: |
This affected the empire because when the Black Death appeared in China around 1345, it rapidly spread through South-East Asia. The pandemic would have struck quickly, devastating the society by killing large sections of the population. Harvesters and trade would have suffered severely. There wouldn't have been enough workers to sow or harvest the crop, or to ship them,meaning trade in Angkor would have decreased greatly.
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