Cambodia Flashcards
What was the background of Cambodia from 1863? Who ruled? What percentage of the population made up the peasantry and Khmers (ethnic Cambodians)? What was the most common religion?
France ruled, 80%, Buddhism
Give the timeline of Cambodia for the years 1941, 1946, 1948, 1949 .
1941 - the french (under Japanese influence) chose Sihanouk to become the king of Cambodia
1946 - Democratic Party won the first Cambodian election at the National Assembly
1948 - Sihanouk removes the National Assembly
1949 - the Viet Minh intervenes in Cambodia, with the aim of spreading communism and opposition to the french Indochina empire, and securing sanctuaries in Cambodia
Who supported the Viet Minh in Cambodia and how many supporters were there by 1947?
The Cambodian independence movement, known as the Issaraks, had 1200 supporters in 1947
How did Sihanouk respond to the rebel force in 1952? (2)
He becomes a nationalist leader, by promising Cambodian independence from french colonial rule through his ‘ROYAL CRUSADE FOR INDEPENDENCE’
He establishes his own nationalist authority by ignoring the elected democratic party at the government
Why did the Cambodian communist party lose its supporters?
Many supporters had felt that there was no reason to oppose Sihanouk, as he fulfilled their want of dissolving the french rule of Cambodia
How stable and effective was Sihanouk’s rule from 1955 - 1966, through his domestic policies, economic policies and foreign policies?
What were Sihanouk’s domestic policies between 1955-1966?
1. Support
2. Abdication
3. The People’s Socialist Community
- Gaining support (1954-55): arrested those who opposed, intimated people into voting for him in a referendum, which led to 99.8% of supporters
- Sihanouk’s abdication (march 1955) - known as ‘citizen Sihanouk’, but removed monarchical limitations to allow him to have total control
- The People’s Socialist Community (march 1955) - new movement which welcomed people across the political spectrum (e.g. in 1958 there were leftists who joined the community)
What evidence counteracts Sihanouk’s establishment of the people’s socialist community?
His government was undemocratic, as the 99.8% of voters from the referendum were presssurided into doing so.
His government was repressive, as demonstrated by the government film played before every film, which showed the execution of a traitor in 1960.
What were Sihanouk’s economic policies (if any) and how effective were they between 1955-1966?
- No economic policy for the peasants - from 1950 to 1970, the percentage of landless farmers rose from 4% to 20%, so were in debt.
- No economic policies for the young educated Cambodians - though the number of high schools had increased (from 8 to 200 between 1953 to 1967) there were no employment opportunities.
What were Sihanouk’s foreign policies from 1955-1966?
- Attempt to remain neutral in the Cold War conflict
-refused to join SEATO in 1954 (alliance between USA, Britain etc)
- received aid from both sides:
-> May 1954 - accepted US aid
-> February 1956 - signed the Sino-Cambodian Friendship Declaration to receive aid (despite being non-communist) - Broke off US relations in 1965, due to:
- Diem’s assassination (suspicious this was caused by the US)
- the usa’s ‘search and destroy’ tactic which drove the north Vietnamese into Cambodia seeking sanctuary
- in 1966, the USA bombed the Ho Chi Minh Trail to prevent the north Vietnamese transporting supplies, which led to the deaths of Cambodians
As a result, he formed an alliance with the Viet Cong by allowing sanctuaries in Cambodia (but he isn’t pro-communist).
In conclusion, was Sihanouk’s government effective and stable?
No, because he prioristises nationalism and personal rule which led to an oppressive regime whereby people were only supporting him through intimidation.
What was the main reason for the first civil war (1967-70) in Cambodia?
A) Sihanouk’s regime
B) Cambodian communists
The ambition of the Cambodian communists, because Sihanouk was already popular due to gaining independence for Cambodia, thus most people didn’t have a reason to rebel.
