Routledge : The United States and Cambodia, 1870-1969 History

Explore the complex history of American relations with Cambodia in this comprehensive volume from the Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia series. This book provides the first systematic study of how the two nations interacted, moving from early 19th-century curiosity to the intense confrontations of the late 1960s. The narrative begins by examining the early contacts made by adventurers, tourists, and missionaries. It then transitions into a deep analysis of official diplomatic relations that began in 1950. Readers will follow the difficult path taken by King Norodom Sihanouk as he attempted to maintain Cambodian neutrality during the Cold War, even while facing significant pressure from the United States to join the fight against communism. This work is an essential resource for students and historians interested in Southeast Asian geopolitics and the lead-up to the outbreak of war with Vietnam. It offers a clear look at the shifting dynamics between a superpower and a smaller nation during one of the most turbulent eras in modern history.