Why did Nixon's actions in Cambodia anger many people?
1 Answer
It caused widespread devastation, was illegal and extended the war.
Explanation:
Nixon's attitude in coming to power in 1968 was that the USA could still win the war. He had a number of strategies one of which was to prevent Cambodia becoming communist and destroying the Ho Chi Minh Trail from North to South Vietnam, running through neutral Cambodia and Laos.
Nixon on coming to power ordered the secret bombing of Cambodia. It had to be kept secret as it was breaking international law. The logs of the bombers were falsified as far back as into the computers at the Pentagon.
The bombing was a disaster. It destroyed 80% of the countryside, failed to have any material disruption and killed at least 500,00 civilians.
In 1970 the CIA organised a coup whereby Prince Norodom Sihanouk was overthrown by the Cambodian military led by General Lon Nol. His stability was reflected in the fact that he used American helicopters to sprinkle holy dust round his palace so he would be protected from attack. He also banned the sale of rabbits in the markets as he had had a dream that the communists were training them to carry explosives.
Nixon also invade Cambodia with American and South Vietnamese troops again ostensibly to destroy communist bases and supply routes.
The overall effect of this illegal action was the delicate balance within Cambodia was destroyed. A brutal civil war broke out which led to the Khmer Rouge seizing power in 1975. Under Pol Pot they declared this Year Zero and set about systematically destroying Cambodian society and killing one-third of the population.
This was why many Americans were angry at Nixon.
