Cambodian Provinces, 1976
This document shows the provinces of Cambodia, also known as Kampuchea as they were in 1976. The area of Cambodia was just under 70,000 square miles and had a population of 8.3 million. Between the years of 1960 and 1979 was injured by constant wars with neighboring counties, as well as sever internal conflict. The biggest form of threat came from Thailand and Vietnam. Due to civil wars and unstable governments, and leaders being overthrown, Cambodia remained in a state of turmoil for quite some time. The year prior, in 1975, the Communist leader Khmer Rouge took over, and this is when the "outside world" became aware of the conditions for Cambodians.
By 1979, Cambodians began trying to leave their home country and attempted to go to Thailand. However, Thailand government "refused" humanitarian assistance from the UN to help the Cambodians who were at the border and instead viewed them as illegal migrants rather than refugees. Cambodians at the border grew desperate and were afraid to move into the "holding centers" that had been established for their safety. Many chose to either remain at the border, in border camps or move back into the interior of Cambodia.
This document ties into the idea of Cambodians needing and attempting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Life in their home towns was not favorable. They were hungry, with a shortage of food, crowded into camps on the borders, and in desperate need of medical attention, suffering from diseases such as malaria. They way they were, in 1976, they were in no position to pursue a life of happiness. It was through a series of hearings, reports, bills and laws being passed in the U.S. that lead to refugee relief by not only providing temporary assistance of food and medical supplies directly to Cambodia, but giving aid to those refugees who sought help in the U.S.
Sources:
Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning. (2007, July 24). Cambodia: Forced migration. Retrieved on October 27, 2013. http://forcedmigration.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/book/export/html/25.
Microsoft Corporation. (2002). Microsoft encarta encyclopedia. In Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved on October 27, 2013. http://sophal.faithweb.com/CAMBODIA/1976.html.
By 1979, Cambodians began trying to leave their home country and attempted to go to Thailand. However, Thailand government "refused" humanitarian assistance from the UN to help the Cambodians who were at the border and instead viewed them as illegal migrants rather than refugees. Cambodians at the border grew desperate and were afraid to move into the "holding centers" that had been established for their safety. Many chose to either remain at the border, in border camps or move back into the interior of Cambodia.
This document ties into the idea of Cambodians needing and attempting life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Life in their home towns was not favorable. They were hungry, with a shortage of food, crowded into camps on the borders, and in desperate need of medical attention, suffering from diseases such as malaria. They way they were, in 1976, they were in no position to pursue a life of happiness. It was through a series of hearings, reports, bills and laws being passed in the U.S. that lead to refugee relief by not only providing temporary assistance of food and medical supplies directly to Cambodia, but giving aid to those refugees who sought help in the U.S.
Sources:
Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning. (2007, July 24). Cambodia: Forced migration. Retrieved on October 27, 2013. http://forcedmigration.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/book/export/html/25.
Microsoft Corporation. (2002). Microsoft encarta encyclopedia. In Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved on October 27, 2013. http://sophal.faithweb.com/CAMBODIA/1976.html.