A Brief History:
Labeling the massacre
of Cambodians in the 1970s as “genocide” has been highly contested because of the
belief that it was Cambodians killing Cambodians, which does not fit the genocide
definition. The fact remains, however, that millions of Cambodians were murdered, and
many of the victims were targeted because of their ethnic, religious, or
political background, which fits into the parameters of genocide.
As Communism grew in Southeast Asia, a group in Cambodia began to rise to power. The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot (born Saloth Sar in Cambodia, and who studied Communism in France), eventually forced the existing government to collapse in 1975. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge were convinced that Capitalism was tearing the country and its people apart. The wealthy and the educated were especially feared, blamed, and targeted because the Khmer Rouge believed such people were infected with the disease of Capitalism and would infect others.
Shortly after coming into power, the Khmer Rouge forced people to leave their homes. They were relocated to the countryside, where they toiled in the fields, usually growing rice. Rations were meager, almost nonexistent, but they were promised an abundance of food once Cambodia was transformed into a powerful nation. Schools and places of worship were closed. “Civil freedoms were curtailed, including freedom of movement. Publishing of any kind was forbidden. People could not even write a letter and mail it- the postal system no longer existed. People were not allowed to indulged in leisure activities…Everyone was expected to wear identical plain, black clothes. Those who disobeyed were dealt with severely. A repeat offender could expect to be thrown into one of the Khmer Rouge’s deadly prisons, or executed. Many were killed without apparent reason” (Spangenburg 58).
As news and evidence of mass murder in Cambodia spread to the rest of the world, others were reluctant to step in. The United States was recovering from its losses in Vietnam and did not want to send troops back to the same region. In 1979, “the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia, [and] the United States sided with the Khmer Rouge…The United States also hoped to keep favor with China, which supported the Khmer Rouge regime. In addition, the United States still considered Vietnam an enemy. Thus, despite evidence of genocide, the United States and China supported the Khmer Rouge as it fought against the new government” (January 73). “The rule of the Khmer Rouge ended when the Vietnamese captured the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge fled and, like their victims, received aid from neighboring Thailand and international aid groups. “The Khmer Rouge continued to sit in the United Nations as the representative of Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge leaders…faced virtually no prosecution for their crimes” (73). There was no justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge.
**(My brief outline of these events were summarized from Brendan January’s Genocide: Modern Crimes Against Humanity – pages 63-75 – and The Crime of Genocide: Terror Against Humanity by Ray Spangenburg & Kit Moser – pages 54-64. See book citations under "Citations" tab.)
As Communism grew in Southeast Asia, a group in Cambodia began to rise to power. The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot (born Saloth Sar in Cambodia, and who studied Communism in France), eventually forced the existing government to collapse in 1975. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge were convinced that Capitalism was tearing the country and its people apart. The wealthy and the educated were especially feared, blamed, and targeted because the Khmer Rouge believed such people were infected with the disease of Capitalism and would infect others.
Shortly after coming into power, the Khmer Rouge forced people to leave their homes. They were relocated to the countryside, where they toiled in the fields, usually growing rice. Rations were meager, almost nonexistent, but they were promised an abundance of food once Cambodia was transformed into a powerful nation. Schools and places of worship were closed. “Civil freedoms were curtailed, including freedom of movement. Publishing of any kind was forbidden. People could not even write a letter and mail it- the postal system no longer existed. People were not allowed to indulged in leisure activities…Everyone was expected to wear identical plain, black clothes. Those who disobeyed were dealt with severely. A repeat offender could expect to be thrown into one of the Khmer Rouge’s deadly prisons, or executed. Many were killed without apparent reason” (Spangenburg 58).
As news and evidence of mass murder in Cambodia spread to the rest of the world, others were reluctant to step in. The United States was recovering from its losses in Vietnam and did not want to send troops back to the same region. In 1979, “the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia, [and] the United States sided with the Khmer Rouge…The United States also hoped to keep favor with China, which supported the Khmer Rouge regime. In addition, the United States still considered Vietnam an enemy. Thus, despite evidence of genocide, the United States and China supported the Khmer Rouge as it fought against the new government” (January 73). “The rule of the Khmer Rouge ended when the Vietnamese captured the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The Khmer Rouge fled and, like their victims, received aid from neighboring Thailand and international aid groups. “The Khmer Rouge continued to sit in the United Nations as the representative of Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge leaders…faced virtually no prosecution for their crimes” (73). There was no justice for the victims of the Khmer Rouge.
**(My brief outline of these events were summarized from Brendan January’s Genocide: Modern Crimes Against Humanity – pages 63-75 – and The Crime of Genocide: Terror Against Humanity by Ray Spangenburg & Kit Moser – pages 54-64. See book citations under "Citations" tab.)
Statistics:
- At the start of the conflict, Cambodian was populated by approximately 8 million people
- It is estimated that 1.7 - 2.5 million were killed by the Khmer Rouge (January 146)
Pol Pot (History’s Villains)
By John Allen
Published: 2006
Part of the “History’s Villains” series, this book explores the life of Pol Pot, the man behind the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Though much about him remains a mystery, it discusses his childhood, his adoption of Communist ideas, the creation of the Khmer Rouge, his rise to power, the plans he had for Cambodia, and the fall of the regime. The author notes a popular slogan of the Khmer Rouge that conveys how the people of Cambodia were regarded: “To spare you is no profit, to lose you is no loss” (62). The book includes a chronology of events, a glossary of terms, and other resources to go to for more information.
We will never really get into Pol Pot’s head, or fully understand his motivations for the slaughter of the people of Cambodia, but this book is a good place to start researching such a topic. Through the facts provided, we also get a glimpse at the effect his rule had across the country and the aftermath of his decisions and actions. Such a book is an important addition in researching this period of history.
By John Allen
Published: 2006
Part of the “History’s Villains” series, this book explores the life of Pol Pot, the man behind the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Though much about him remains a mystery, it discusses his childhood, his adoption of Communist ideas, the creation of the Khmer Rouge, his rise to power, the plans he had for Cambodia, and the fall of the regime. The author notes a popular slogan of the Khmer Rouge that conveys how the people of Cambodia were regarded: “To spare you is no profit, to lose you is no loss” (62). The book includes a chronology of events, a glossary of terms, and other resources to go to for more information.
We will never really get into Pol Pot’s head, or fully understand his motivations for the slaughter of the people of Cambodia, but this book is a good place to start researching such a topic. Through the facts provided, we also get a glimpse at the effect his rule had across the country and the aftermath of his decisions and actions. Such a book is an important addition in researching this period of history.
Alive in the Killing Fields: Surviving the Khmer Rouge Genocide
By Nuwath Keat, with Martha E. Kendall
Published: 2009
With the help of his World Literature professor, Nuwuth tells the story of his adolescence in Cambodia. His grandmother, baby sister, aunt, and uncle are killed in front of him. The rest of his family is forced to march from place to place, and to work in the fields planting and tending to rice and other crops between marches. This book is the story of the horrors he faced and the will he found to survive.
It is a simple yet powerful story that draws readers in and exposes them to these horrific events. What he endured is something no one should have to experience, but it is something millions have been victims of. Nuwuth’s story is a testimony to the thousands of people whose voices have been silenced. It brings the reality of these events home, and is an important book for everyone interested in this subject.
By Nuwath Keat, with Martha E. Kendall
Published: 2009
With the help of his World Literature professor, Nuwuth tells the story of his adolescence in Cambodia. His grandmother, baby sister, aunt, and uncle are killed in front of him. The rest of his family is forced to march from place to place, and to work in the fields planting and tending to rice and other crops between marches. This book is the story of the horrors he faced and the will he found to survive.
It is a simple yet powerful story that draws readers in and exposes them to these horrific events. What he endured is something no one should have to experience, but it is something millions have been victims of. Nuwuth’s story is a testimony to the thousands of people whose voices have been silenced. It brings the reality of these events home, and is an important book for everyone interested in this subject.
Never Fall Down
By Patricia McCormick
Published: 2012
Arn Chorn-Pond was just a boy when the Khmer Rouge took over in Cambodia. McCormick spent two years interviewing Pond about his life in Cambodia – the forced march from his home, toiling in the rice fields, starving, witnessing daily murders and beatings, being forced to join the ranks of the Khmer Rouge, and his will to survive. Written to reflect Pond’s voice, readers experience the childlike innocence and confusion of what is happening.
This is a captivating novel that effectively reveals the horrors of the mass murders in Cambodia. McCormick’s way with words, combined with her effective research and extensive work with Arn to give a voice to his story draw readers into the narrative and keep us invested in Arn’s fate.
By Patricia McCormick
Published: 2012
Arn Chorn-Pond was just a boy when the Khmer Rouge took over in Cambodia. McCormick spent two years interviewing Pond about his life in Cambodia – the forced march from his home, toiling in the rice fields, starving, witnessing daily murders and beatings, being forced to join the ranks of the Khmer Rouge, and his will to survive. Written to reflect Pond’s voice, readers experience the childlike innocence and confusion of what is happening.
This is a captivating novel that effectively reveals the horrors of the mass murders in Cambodia. McCormick’s way with words, combined with her effective research and extensive work with Arn to give a voice to his story draw readers into the narrative and keep us invested in Arn’s fate.