Cambodian Civil War

Quick Facts: Who was Cambodian Civil War?

Subject:

Cambodian Civil War

Known for:

A brutal civil war (1967–1975) in Cambodia involving the Khmer Rouge and various factions.

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Origins & Early Life

The Cambodian Civil War (Khmer: សង្គ្រាមស៊ីវិលកម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: Sângkréam Sĭvĭl Kâmpŭchéa) was a civil war in Cambodia fought by the Khmer Rouge against the government of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Following the March 1970 coup, the conflict shifted as the Khmer Rouge and forces loyal to Norodom Sihanouk, now supported by North Vietnam and China, fought against the Khmer Republic, which was supported by the United States and South Vietnam. The conflict was part of the Vietnam War. The North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) was involved to protect its bases in eastern Cambodia, which were crucial to its military effort in South Vietnam. This presence was initially tolerated by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, the Cambodian head of state, but domestic resistance combined with China and North Vietnam aiding the anti-government Khmer Rouge caused him to request help from the Soviet Union to stop this.

Career & Major Achievements

In March 1970, Sihanouk was deposed by the Cambodian National Assembly, following wide scale protests in the capital against the PAVN presence in the country. He was replaced by a pro-American government which demanded that the PAVN leave Cambodia. They refused and, at the request of the Khmer Rouge, invaded Cambodia, capturing most of the northeastern third of the country from the Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK) between March and June 1970. They handed over some of the territory to the Khmer Rouge and increased material assistance to the group, thus empowering what was at the time a small guerrilla movement. In response, FANK was expanded to fight the PAVN and growing Khmer Rouge.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

U.S. involvement was motivated by the desire to buy time for its withdrawal from Southeast Asia, to protect South Vietnam, and to prevent the spread of communism to Cambodia. The U.S. assisted the Khmer government with massive U.S. aerial bombing campaigns and direct material and financial aid, while the PAVN continued to occupy Cambodian territory and occasionally engage the FANK in combat. The war caused a refugee crisis in Cambodia with two million people—more than 25 percent of the population—displaced from rural areas into the cities, with the capital Phnom Penh's population growing from 600,000 in 1970 to nearly 2 million by 1975. The Cambodian government estimated that more than 20 percent of the property in the country had been destroyed during the war. In total, an estimated 275,000–310,000 people were killed as a result of the war, including 30,000 to 150,000 killed in U.S. bombing campaigns.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1970: 1970 Milestone — Following the March 1970 coup, the conflict shifted as the Khmer Rouge and forces loyal to Norodom Sihanouk, now supported by North Vietnam and China, fought against the Khmer Republic, which was supported by the United States and South Vietnam.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cambodian Civil War

True or False: “The Cambodian Civil War was primarily a conflict between the Khmer Rouge and only the United States-backed government forces.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The war involved multiple factions, including forces loyal to Norodom Sihanouk, the Khmer Republic supported by the US, and the North Vietnamese People's Army.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cambodian Civil War