Societal Implications of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War

The Cambodian-Vietnamese War, beginning in the late 1970s, was largely influenced by differing political ideologies among people and organizations in both Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as the United States and China. The war over communism, socialism, and democracy helped give rise to groups such as the Communist Party of Kampuchea or Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. In 1977 and 1978, the Khmer Rouge attacked Vietnam, killing thousands of people in the process. In the aftermath of the war, various social implications occurred in Cambodia and Vietnam. Many who lived through the war, whether soldiers or civilians, were left traumatized and suffered from PTSD. Fighting resulted in large refugee communities and conscription by the respective states meant that most people in these countries were directly touched by war. Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia and the strained relationships in the region caused lasting consequences. These societal implications can still be seen today, and the Cambodian-Vietnamese War can be a reminder of the devastating consequences of war and political conflict.