Cambodia + Laos Flashcards
why did the us get involved in cambodia
-Nixon feared the possibility of a communist regime being established in cambodia- a communist cambodia would undermine his vietnamisation strategy
What action was taken in Cambodia?
Operation Menu March 1969
-A massive bombing offensive aimed to target parts of cambodia regarded as safe by the NV
-Hoped it would sever the supply line on the Ho Chi Minh trail + put pressure on the NV to negotiate an acceptable peace settlement for the SV
-Done to compensate for the vietnamisation programme + retain confidence + commitment of the US
-ARVN forces with US air support carried out cross border raids
-Sent 20,000 US GROUND troops
what were the consequences of extending war into cambodia?
-The ability of the VC to operate in Cambodia= undermined, large areas of the jungle was destroyed
-Large amounts of the VC supplies were captured + destroyed
-No strategic gains from the US
-Opposition to the war back at home increased
-NV moved deeper into Cambodia + strengthened their support for the Khmer Rouge
-Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot began to rise in influence + he kills around 1/4 of the population which destabilises the US gov
Kent State Shooting
1970
-Widespread student protests erupted in opposition to the incursion in Cambodia
-4 students were shot by the national guard
-Led to national protests + the removal of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Why was Laos seen as important in the war?
-The Ho Chi Minh trail went through there + destroying it would stall the logistical support that the NV were heavily dependent on
-There was a fear of communist push in advanced of the 1972 presidential election
What action was taken in Laos?
Operation Lam Son 719 Feb 1971:
-a plan to support the ARVN invasion of Laos w/ US air support
-Aimed to disrupt the NV supply lines along the HCM trail + prevent an invasion of SV as US troop numbers declined
-30,000 ARVN troops attacked
Was Operation Lam Son 719 successful?
-No as the ARVN were forced to withdraw on the orders that once they reached 3000 casualties they must retreat
-Faced heavy resistance from the NV
-ARVN lacked morale, they did the bare minimum
What were the consequences of the action in Laos on Vietnamisation?
-Emphasised the weakness of the ARVN + its leadership–> its leaders were more interested in pleasing president Nguyen Van Thieu rather than winning
-Operation Lam Son 719 proved how the ARVN could only match the VC whilst it had US air support
-Nixon’s strategy of Vietnamisation was failing to move the US towards ‘peace with honour’
continuing problems in Cambodia
-Cambodian communists formed an alliance with NV + began to fight against the pro-US gov.
-20,000 ground troops were provided, but were soon withdrawn.
-430,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Cambodia
-700,000 Cambodians had died during the revolution + war
Jan 1975
-Khmer Rouge launched an attack on the capital of Cambodia
April 1975
-Khmer Rouge took over Phnom Penh in April 1975 after the US forces evacuated from the city
Dec 1978
-With support from the Soviets the North Vietnamese captured Phnom Penh + Heng Samrin was put in charge
