Cambodia’s Killing Fields 1975-1979

Questions Provide a summary of the Cambodian Killing Fields (historical time lines, the main players in the conflict and its impact on the country) Present the KEY reasons that led to the conflict becoming full-blown. Identify the most important reason(s) OTHER THAN RACE in this conflict.

Map of Cambodia

Towards Year Zero 1953 – Cambodia gains independence from 90 years of French colonization 1965 – King Sihanouk of Cambodia “breaks off relations” with US Sihanouk kept a small army to prevent coups and could not defend Cambodia against North Vietnamese Allows North Vietnamese guerillas (Communist) to set up bases on Cambodian soil against US-backed government in South Vietnam (Capitalist)

Towards Year Zero 1969 – The US bombs North Vietnamese forces in Cambodia 1970 – Sihanouk was deposed in a coup and General Lon Nol assumed power His government assumed Pro-Western and Anti-Communist stance Lon Nol sends army to fight North Vietnamese in Cambodia, supporting American military involvement

Who is Pol Pot? Born- “Saloth Sar” 1925-1998 Earned a scholarship to study in France While in Paris, he joined a communist cell Returned to Cambodia in 1953 after failing out of school Becomes leader of the underground communist party; helps to develop the Khmer Rouge ideology

Who are the Khmer Rouge? “Red Khmer”-Khmer is the majority ethnic group in Cambodia Cambodia’s communist party. Differs from true Marxism K.R. believe that rural peasant farmers are the true proletariat, not factory workers Cambodia would have to be taken back to the year Zero in order to purge the country of western influence Goal was to create a utopian communist society

Towards Year Zero 1975 – Lon Nol was overthrown facing a 2-way attack from Khmer Rouge and North Vietnamese Supported by the Chinese, North Vietnamese Communists and Sihanouk. April 17, 1975 – Khmer Rouge marched into Phnom Penh unopposed Implement plans for utopian communist society Day Zero where 2000 years of Khmer history became meaningless

Khmer Rouge Years To create Utopian Communist Society Phnom Penh was evacuated to the countryside Khmer Rouge believes cities are tools of capitalism All should live and work in the countryside as peasants

Khmer Rouge Years Isolate country from foreign influence Close schools, hospitals and factories Abolished banking, finance and currency Outlawed all religions Confiscated all private properties Most importantly- abolish the family unit. Only the children were considered pure!

Khmer Rouge Years Government arrested, tortured and executed Anyone connected to former government Professionals and intellectuals (bespectacled) Ethnic Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodia Christians, Muslims and Buddhist Monks, ethnic Chams Homosexuals Former urban dwellers who were incapable of farming “To keep you is no benefit. To destroy you is no loss”

Khmer Rouge Years - Numbers Estimated of 850,000 to 3 million deaths Commonly between 1.4m to 2.2m deaths 20% - 30% of population By execution, starvation and forced labor 158 prisons 209 mass-grave sites, with 19,000 grave pits 10 m mines left, one for each Cambodian

Khmer Rouge Years - Numbers Tuol Sleng (S-21 Prison) Highest single day execution 582 persons May 27, 1978 At least 14,000 imprisoned 7 known survivors Victims includemany women 2,000 children

The End of the Genocide In 1979, Cambodia invades Vietnam in order to “reclaim lost lands” The Vietnamese gain the upper hand and push into Cambodia, deposing Pol Pot and install a pro- Vietnamese dictator. The Cambodian Genocide comes to an end The U.S. refused to help bring the genocide to an end because: There would be no support from the American people. They were partially responsible for causing the instability that led to Pol Pot coming to power It was communists fighting communists

Key Reasons Capitalism vs Communism (Cold War) Vietnam War spillover Rise of Khmer Rouge US secret bombing of Vietnamese communists in Cambodian land on March 18, 1969 Peasants’ detest for Lon Nol and American campaign Support from China, Vietnamese communists and Sihanuok Khmer Rouge’s idealistic Communist rule

Other than Race, what? Politics Ideology Make sure no opposition/uprising Kill educated people Destroy past political powers Terrorize the people through torture and execution Eradicate religions to prevent gatherings Ideology Extreme insistence on Communist utopia Equality within the people All people work on the fields

References http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia- pacific/country_profiles/1244006.stm http://www.mekong.net/cambodia/index.htm http://www.edwebproject.org/sideshow/