Civilians in Indochina

The Impact of the war on civilians in Indochina

The conflict in Indochina had both short term and long-term social, cultural, environmental and human impacts on the civilians of both Vietnam and Cambodia. The fact that civilians suffered directly and indirectly as a result of the Indochina war is unquestionable. Like Richard Nixon said on March 28th, 1919, ‘No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now’. One thing known about the War was the fact that the impact on civilians because of the war was immense. The future health of civilians resulted in overwhelming amount of devastation. The impact felt by the Vietnamese was that experienced by civilians in most wars; getting caught up in the battle, losing loved ones, as well as the hardships of no medical care, no food or shelter, transportation or education. All these aspects had a negative impact on each part of daily life. Civilians in both countries were affected by political oppression due to American intervention, which had, and continues to have, a detrimental effect on all aspects of society in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The forced removal of villages and the destructive impact of U.S culture led to the loss of traditions and almost complete social disruption of civilians (Molony., S, pg 114). Their lives were threatened and their livelihood taken. The conflict in Indochina had a detrimental immediate and lasting social impact on the citizens of Vietnam and Cambodia. The Cambodian villages and people were more severely impacted, especially those living near the Ho Chi Minh trail that was crushed by US tactics (Molony., S, pg 114). The US involvement and military tactics caused vast amounts of suffering to the people in Indochina; it created boundless amounts of sadness and grief and continues to have a detrimental effect on all aspects of society in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Social, environmental, cultural and human impacts...