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What does Genocide
mean? Give 2 examples
Genocide is the deliberate attempt
to kill off a group of people. Usually
based on race, religion or ethnicity
What is a totalitarian
government and how do
they keep power?
A government with total control.
The government stays in power by
using terror to keep people in line.
Dissenters are often killed,
imprisoned or exiled.
Cambodian Genocide
Led by the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot,
Cambodia returned to Year Zero, turning
Cambodia into a Communist Nation
Pol Pot
Originally a poor farmer, Pol Pot gained power
during the 1970s.
During the Vietnamese War, American troops
invaded Cambodia to stop supply routes for the
Vietcong.
After the United States withdrew, the Khmer
Rouge, led by Pol Pot established a totalitarian
government
Cambodian Revolution
Once Pol Pot gained control, he wanted to get rid of foreign influences and
democracy. Pol Pot instituted strict Communism, eliminated any challenges to
his power and started Year Zero.
Pol Pot’s goal was to create a Self-sufficient, agrarian, utopia (true communism)
Year Zero
Who: Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot
When: 1975-1979
Where: Cambodia
What: Khmer Rouge Soldiers evacuate the cities an move
everyone to the countryside to farm and learn about
communism
Why: Pol Pot wanted to restart the calendar at Year Zero to get
rid of the past and past traditions. He eliminated threats
to the future by destroying all parts of the past
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge was made up of many teenagers and youths, who were attracted
to the power of joining Pol Pot’s regime, and the appeal of communism. These
youths ruthlessly followed orders and hunted down counter revolutionaries.
Evacuations
Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge evacuated everyone from the cities and forced them
to work in the fields. They slaughtered or caused the death of more than 1,700,000
Cambodians, a third of the nation.
Genocide
During the evacuations, the Khmer Rouge were particularly cruel to certain groups
of people:
-Business men and women
-intellectuals and educated
-foreigners
-Cambodians who looked Vietnamese
Pol Pot was trying to purify Cambodia and its people by getting rid of foreign
influence in genetics and knowledge.
S21 and schools for torture
Hundreds of thousands of Cambodians were dragged to special torture centers,
made from former school buildings. In these buildings people were tortured for
information and often executed.
Killing Fields
Thousands of undesirable Cambodian intellectuals, businessmen and women, and
counter-revolutionaries were sent to killing fields, where they were tortured and
killed.
Ending the Revolution
On Christmas Day 1978, Vietnam
launched a full scale invasion of
Cambodia to end the Khmer Rouge’s
reign. By January 7th Phnom Penh fell
and Pol Pot was deposed (kicked out of
power). Pol Pot fled to the jungle was
died in 1998.
Effects
The Cambodian Genocide and Year Zero transition to communism caused the
deaths of nearly 2 million people, nearly a third of the estimated population. The
first trial for crimes against humanity occurred in 2010
Additionally, the cities were in ruins after being empty for 3+ years. The
Cambodians slowly rebuild and in 1993 became a democratic nation.
Time Line
Pol Pot’s attempt to bring Communism to the Cambodians ended in tragedy. His
Year Zero strategy caused thousands of deaths in the initial evacuations. Millions
died from systematic genocide and torture. It is estimated that 1/3 of the
population died. For these reasons and more, Pol Pot is arguably one of the most
evil men in history
Pol Pot
Pol Pot’s attempt to bring Communism to the
Cambodians ended in tragedy. His Year Zero strategy
caused thousands of deaths in the initial evacuations.
Millions died from systematic genocide and torture. It is
estimated that 1/3 of the population died. For these
reasons and more, Pol Pot is arguably one of the most
evil men in history
23:21
Compare Communism
Soviet Union
China
Cambodia
Leaders:
Followers:
Plan:
Explain why people turn to Communist leaders, what they have to give up and what
they get in return:
Compare Communism
Soviet Union
China
Cambodia
Leaders:
Followers:
Plan:
Explain why people turn to Communist leaders, what they have to give up and what
they get in return: