Assess the impact of US involvement in Indochina on the nations of the

region
The War in Indochina had a devastating impact on the nations of the region. It not only
caused widespread destruction of people and property, but also disrupted almost every
aspect of life in South Vietnam and Cambodia.
The most devastating impact of the war was the number of people killed. More than
two million Vietnamese and a similar number of Cambodians lost their lives. There was
also extensive damage to property, particularly in South Vietnam, where thousands of
villages were destroyed. In addition, the environment suffered critically from American
bombing and defoliation. Even North Vietnam, which was never invaded, experienced
significant damage.
At a social level, the war transformed South Vietnamese society. The influx of money
from the United States made corruption soar. Prostitution, drugs and other social ills
became rife. Refugees flooded into the cities to escape the fighting, making these places
almost unliveable. Saigon became one huge slum.
In North Vietnam, the impact was nowhere near as great. The war actually united the
people, as they struggled to deal with the American bombing campaign.
For Cambodia, the consequences were disastrous. A half a million people were killed
by B52 strikes in 1973, and the Khmer Rouge killed even more when they assumed
power in 1975. Pol Pots agricultural policies caused widespread starvation, while his
social policies sent the country backwards. Urban areas were abandoned, and people were
forced to work on collective farms in slave-like conditions. The Khmer Rouge executed
anyone who stole food, had sex outside of marriage or tried to escape. They even killed
people who could read. It was all part of their plan to purge society of outside influences.
The economic impact of the war was also immense. South Vietnam became financially
dependent upon the United States for its survival. The governments budget was largely
supplied by the US, and many Vietnamese derived their living off the US forces (working
as cleaners, drivers, prostitutes and entertainers). With agricultural production devastated,
the country could no longer feed itself. Living standards fell for many Vietnamese.
One sector that did flourish was the black market, which was estimated to be worth
about $10 billion a year. Corrupt officials and businessmen became extremely rich, and
they deposited their ill-gotten gains overseas, where the VC could not get them if the war
went badly. This drained the country of badly needed resources.
The impact on North Vietnam was also bad. With so many of its resources devoted to
the war, and with much of its industry destroyed by American bombs, the nation became
dependant upon the USSR and China. This caused problems once the war ended in 1975,
particularly when Vietnam and China fell out.
By far the greatest economic impact of the war was on Cambodia. Pol Pot eliminated
the old urban-based society, and replaced it with a rural economy in which money was
banned and all trade was done by barter. This resulted in widespread starvation.

The Indochina War also had a significant political impact on the nations of the region.
In South Vietnam, the government felt it could ignore the demands of its people and rule
dictatorially, since it had the support of the United States. When elections were held, they
were rigged, ensuring victory for Generals Thieu and Ky.
In North Vietnam, the war actually increased the governments popularity. Despite Ho
Chi Minhs dictatorship, people enjoyed more freedom than they did in the South, since
they could elect their village chiefs.
In Cambodia, the impact was the worst of all. In 1970, Prince Sihanouk was
overthrown by General Lon Nol, and the government became a military dictatorship.
Then, when the Khmer Rouge took charge, the regime became totalitarian ruled by a
mysterious fanatic who cared nothing for human life.
Hence it can be seen that the war in Indochina had profound effects on the nations of
the region. These ranged from the destruction of people and property to the
transformation of society. No country felt this more than Cambodia.