Nature Of Conflict
On 18 March 1970. Prince Sihanouk came to visit the Soviet Union, the national assembly voted to remove Sihanouk as head of state. Lon Nol who was the prime minister wants to take over and take control of Cambodia. The new government highlighted that the transfer of power had been totally legal and constitutional and it received the recognition of most foreign governments. Lon Nol who has been leading the coup against Sihanouk was his erstwhile ally and continuously took control of the government. Within days, political chaos begin to start in Cambodia, a civil war erupted. The next five years Khmer Rouge, a communist party that ruled Cambodia, took control of Cambodia and began its reign of terror. The peaceful Cambodian countryside became a battlefield. Period of stark divisions, between rural and urban Cambodians, between politicians and their constituents, between the beneficiaries of massive corruption and its victims, and between the richest and poorest members of Cambodian society. It is like tearing apart the country into many different societies. Khmer Rouge and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front are against the government forces of Cambodia. The Khmer Republic was supported by the United States and the Republic of Vietnam. The central governments were assisted by the application of massive U.S. aerial bombing campaigns and direct material and financial add. All this actually concluded that U.S is actually supporting this war in Cambodia and “Adds more salt to the wound”. After five years of savage fighting, blood sheds, massive casualties, the destruction of its economy not forgetting the starvation of its population finally Khmer Rouge emerged victorious winners. This conflict affects the neighbouring Kingdom of Laos, the republic of Vietnam and the democratic republic of Vietnam.
Reasons For Conflict
(1)
Most middle-class and educated Khmers in Phnom Penh were dissatisfied with Sihanouk which rule Cambodia using concept of Monarchy. Apparently they welcome Khmer Republic.
However Sihanouk was still popular among the peasants and villagers
(2)
The peasants are motivated by loyalty to the monarchy. But when Lon Nol gets rid of the monarchy reinforced Cambodia as the Khmer Republic. The peasants are used to the concept or monarchy but when the concept of Republic was formed it was not popular among most villagers.
(3)
The fall of Sihanouk and the change of new government.
(4)
The capture of Cambodian Capital by Khmer Rouge
(5)
Cambodian communists refused to take part in the Paris peace talks.
Efforts To Resolve
(1)
On 1 April 1975, President Lon Nol resignes and left the country. Lon Nol was the one who chased out Sihanouk out of Cambodia. With Lon Nol leaving the country hoping the war would stop.
(2)
United States arranged to sign the peace agreement to stop the war and established peace in the country.
(3)
Defeating ofn savage fighting-(massive casualties,destruction of its economy,starvation of its population)by 17 April 1975
(4)
Execution of the seven traitors.