The term "Boat people" does not only refer to the population of Vietnam but Cambodia and Laos as well. This event continued mainly through out 1975-1979. A mass amount of refugees were produced due to the aftermath of attack of Vietnam on Cambodia and China in the specifically in 1978 and 1979. Some had also fled in fear of communism in North Vietnam. Although united as the Republic of Vietnam nearly four years prior in 1975. Another contributor to the flee of citizens was the fact that the South had later on found out they were actually fought against the North of Vietnam during the actually war. Traditional freedoms were few, as approximately 65,000 were executed, 1,000,000 were sent to jail and 165,000 were laid to rest. Escaping may have seemed easy but in actuality it was a struggle. Fishing boats were the primary use of escape as it was the only available boats to the public since it was illegal to leave the country during this time. But fishing boats were not made for durability for the rough weather over seas, not to mention they were often overcrowded. About 1,500,000 people attempted to flee and at least 50,000-200,000 casualties occurred due to pirates murdering and enslaving the refugees and drowning. In the end 823,000 landed in the United States, 19,000 in Britain and lastly, Australia and Canada both with 137,000.