Cambodia GenocideCambodia Genocide

Led by Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge (Red Cambodians)Led by Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge (Red Cambodians)

1975-1979- 2 million deaths1975-1979- 2 million deaths

BackgroundBackground

In 1949 Pol Pot went to college in ParisIn 1949 Pol Pot went to college in Paris Became interested in Marxism Became interested in Marxism

1953 returned to Cambodia and led a 1953 returned to Cambodia and led a communist movementcommunist movement

1954- Cambodia gained independence 1954- Cambodia gained independence from Francefrom France

1962- Became leader of Cambodian 1962- Became leader of Cambodian Communist Party Communist Party But had to flee to the jungle because Prince But had to flee to the jungle because Prince

Sihanouk did not agree with himSihanouk did not agree with him Formed the Khmer Rouge and waged a war Formed the Khmer Rouge and waged a war

against Sihanoukagainst Sihanouk

1970- Prince Sihanouk was ousted by US 1970- Prince Sihanouk was ousted by US military and joined Pol Pot and Khmer Rougemilitary and joined Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge

US bombed North Vietnam which killed 150,000 US bombed North Vietnam which killed 150,000 Cambodians Cambodians These events led to economic and military These events led to economic and military

destabilization in Cambodiadestabilization in Cambodia Support for Pol Pot grewSupport for Pol Pot grew

April 17, 1975- Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army April 17, 1975- Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army marched into Phnom Penh and seized control of marched into Phnom Penh and seized control of CambodiaCambodia Wanted to create an agrarian utopia inspired by Mao Wanted to create an agrarian utopia inspired by Mao

ZedongZedong Declared “This is year zero” and society would Declared “This is year zero” and society would

be “purified” be “purified” Capitalism, western culture, city life, religion and all Capitalism, western culture, city life, religion and all

foreign influences were to be goneforeign influences were to be gone

New SocietyNew Society

Wanted an extreme form of peasant communismWanted an extreme form of peasant communism Foreigners expelledForeigners expelled Embassies closedEmbassies closed Foreign economic or medical assistance refusedForeign economic or medical assistance refused Foreign language bannedForeign language banned Newspapers and TV stations were shut downNewspapers and TV stations were shut down Mail and telephone use banned Mail and telephone use banned Religion, education, health care all goneReligion, education, health care all gone

How was the genocide carried out?How was the genocide carried out?

2 million people were evacuated from Phnom 2 million people were evacuated from Phnom Pen by foot at gunpointPen by foot at gunpoint 20,000 died along the way20,000 died along the way

Forced into slave laborForced into slave labor Worked from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. with 2 rest periodsWorked from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. with 2 rest periods

Every 10th day was a day of restEvery 10th day was a day of rest 3 days off during Khmer New Year festival3 days off during Khmer New Year festival

Many died due to overwork, malnutrition, and diseaseMany died due to overwork, malnutrition, and disease

Diet consisted of 1 tin of rice every 2 days Diet consisted of 1 tin of rice every 2 days

Purges were held to get rid of “old society”Purges were held to get rid of “old society” Educated, wealthy, Buddhist monks, police, doctors, lawyers, Educated, wealthy, Buddhist monks, police, doctors, lawyers,

teachers, former government officialsteachers, former government officials Anyone who was disloyal to the Khmer Rouge were shotAnyone who was disloyal to the Khmer Rouge were shot

““What’s rotten must be removed”What’s rotten must be removed”

Unsupervised gatherings of more than 2 people were Unsupervised gatherings of more than 2 people were forbiddenforbidden

20,000 people were tortured into false confessions 20,000 people were tortured into false confessions