Cambodia Flashcards
1
Q
Why was Sihanouk overthrown?
Communists - Sihanouk’s actions
A
- Civil war, Sihanouk vs. urban Cambodian Communist movement. He wins- but led to him seeking Capitalist aid + Lon Nol- to neutralize he needed Moscow aid.
- Sihanouk had the support of 99.8% of voters, had demi-God status.
- Sihanouk was personally extravagant + his court was expensive.
2
Q
Why was Sihanouk overthrown?
US actions
A
- Nixon’s Operation Menu 1969, tonnes of bombs dropped on Cambodia, Communists moving deeper into Cambodia.
- Nixon doubled no. of mine-laying missions in 1969, making Communists move in
- Destabilised Sihanouk’s regime.
3
Q
Why was Sihanouk overthrown?
Lon Nol + Right-Wingers
A
- Lon Nol overtook Sihanouk when he went to Moscow in search of aid.
- Saigon regime caused 17,000 Khmers to flee Vietnam for Cambodia.
- Sihanouk left the country for too long allowing for an easier takeover.
4
Q
Why was Lon Nol overthrown?
Lon Nol’s incompetence
A
- Pulling off babies’ legs in strength competition.
- Regime violently killing off ethnic-Vietnamese
- Lon Nol seen as responsible for US bombings.
5
Q
Why was Lon Nol overthrown?
Communist stength
A
- Assisted by Vietnamese Communists.
- Played on people’s fear of US control
- Promised land reform to Peasant dominated Cambodia.
6
Q
Why was Lon Nol overthrown?
US Actions
A
- US invaded Cambodia in 1970, with Lon Nol’s permission, many died.
- 50,000-150,000 killed in bombing campaigns from 69-73, want to support Pol Pot.
- Cambodians alienated by the US invasions.
7
Q
Pol Pot’s regime
Communism
A
- Took 3yrs for people to notice he was in charge.
- Bans religion + Family life.
- Ended private ownership
- Money no longer existed
- Downgrading of intellectuals, glasses wearers
- Emptied cities for field laborers.
- No individualism
8
Q
Pol Pot’s regime
Nationalism
A
- S21, 250,000 ethnic Chinese murdered + ethnic minorities targetted.
- Excluded foreign visitors + influence from 1975.
- Aimed to wipe out the Vietnamese.
- No reports of Vietnamese ethnic groups surviving
- Proportionately more people died from ethnic minorities.
- Pol Pot himself was taught Vietnamese were the enemies in youth.
9
Q
Who was responsible for ending the conflict in Cambodia?
USSR
A
- Brezhnev 1978 treaty with Vietnam
- Gorbachev (Soviet leader) pushed for the Vietnamese to leave in 1989.
- Rival China, so supported the Vietnamese w/ weapons.
10
Q
Who was responsible for ending the conflict in Cambodia?
UN
A
- 1979 condemned Vietnam and supported Pol Pot
- Up until ‘92, supported KR
- Introduced democracy in Cambodia, but w/ corrupt leaders.
11
Q
Who was responsible for ending the conflict in Cambodia?
USA
A
- Supported China’s attack of Vietnam.
- Supported KR by giving them seat on the UN
- But condemned Pol Pot?
12
Q
Who was responsible for ending the conflict in Cambodia?
China
A
- 1979, invaded Vietnam with 33,000 ground troops.
- Continued to support KR in exile $100m/yr.
