Vietnam War in Cambodia Cambodia: a neutral state in the war Cambodia: a neutral state in the war 30,000 poorly equipped Cambodian soldiers vs. 180,000 Vietnamese Army 30,000 poorly equipped Cambodian soldiers vs. 180,000 Vietnamese Army

1973 Peace Agreement U.S. to leave Vietnam and in return Vietnam would leave Cambodia U.S. to leave Vietnam and in return Vietnam would leave Cambodia Khmer Rouge vowed to continue their conflict within Cambodia (Communist) Khmer Rouge vowed to continue their conflict within Cambodia (Communist)

Background Ho Chi Ming trail causes the North Vietnamese to set up some bases inside of Cambodia during the Vietnam war. Ho Chi Ming trail causes the North Vietnamese to set up some bases inside of Cambodia during the Vietnam war U.S. helping out Cambodia in keeping the North Vietnamese out of the country U.S. helping out Cambodia in keeping the North Vietnamese out of the country

Khmer Rouge makes their way into the capital city on New Years day January Khmer Rouge makes their way into the capital city on New Years day January 1975.

April 17, Cambodia falls to communism. April 17, Cambodia falls to communism. The killing fields takes place for 3-5 years killing million out of the total 8 million people. The killing fields takes place for 3-5 years killing million out of the total 8 million people.

Pol Pot and the Cambodian Killing Fields Pol Pot formed a Communist peasant farming society. Pol Pot formed a Communist peasant farming society.

 Residents of towns and cities were forced to evacuate  Those who refused to leave and those who did not leave fast enough were killed  Children were taken from their parents and put into separate forced labor camps  Factories, schools, universities, and hospitals were shut down  All people in professional fields were killed along with their extended families  Religion was banned  Music and Radios were banned

Present-Day Cambodia One of the poorest countries in the world –Average Cambodian earns $280/year –81% Cambodians live below poverty line –

Landmines in Cambodia 10 million: A landmine for every Cambodian The costs of laying mine = $3 US per mine, The costs of removal one = $1000 US