A
When did this genocide happen?
1975 to 1979
Recall how many people were killed in total.
Up to two million people
List the type of people that were targeted
Intellectuals, soldiers, teachers, people with glasses, educated.
Which political ideology was forcibly being spread through genocide?
Communism (Maoism)
Name two of other PolPot's Pseudonyms
Saloth Sar, Brother number 1, Brother Pol, any others from the video
What was the main justification given for the murders?
Fear of capitalism and 'good intentions' of making a perfect society where all people are exactly the same
How long did the changes take to happen? Why do you think it was so easy?
Just a few hours. Country was already weakened by colonisation/invasions/bombings and the central government had little control.
What is colonisation? Which country were Cambodia colonised by?
Give one example of how this is similar to other 'typical' genocides.
Rounding up and 'wipe out' of the Vietnamese and Muslims in Cambodia/ torture chambers/killing fields/dictatorships
Give one example of how this is different to other 'typical' genocides.
Political differences was focused on rather than race/religion.
Why do you think the Khmer Rouge attacked teachers and education?
Education is threatening to dictatorship if not controlled as it teaches people to question. Education is power for the people.
Why did PolPot invade Vietnam?
He used the invasion as a distraction from the starvation and his failures.
Why do you think the Khmer Rouge were supported by some other nations even though they were committing genocide?
To help their own agenda against communist Russia
Explain why PolPot was supported by his people in the beginning?
He was supported as a response to USA's bombings on Cambodia. He seemed like their only hope as the bombing killed many people, destroyed their homes and income, and weakened the government. King also helped.
Predict what could have happened if PolPot did not invade Vietnam + why?
Possibly the Khymer Rouge would still be in charge, as a dictatorship, and communist country similar to North Korea due to little interference from the world.
What finally ended the influence of the Khmer Rouge?
Vietnamese army drove them into the jungle, the UN army came in and gave the King back the power and helped rebuild the country.
What do you think the long term effects of the Genocide are?
devastated economy, infrastructure, and a fragmented society filled with pain due to the 'amnesty'. Memorials and remembrance days are held.
Why do you think Communism/perfect society did not work in Cambodia?
It was forced through torture and about PolPot's power rather than about the betterment of society.
How far do you believe outside nations were responsible for the genocide in Cambodia?
Very/Somewhat/Not at all + 1 PEE
P- Constant invasions/colonisations
E - France/United States/ Thailand/ and Support of Khemr Rouge despite their genocide
E - Used as a puppet state to push other nation's agenda of communism/capitalism
Did the Cambodian genocide follow the 10 step genocide plan? Explain your answer using which stages you think were or were not used.
Same 10 step plan was not followed exactly.
Went straight from step 2 (Eastern Khmer Rouge were made to wear blue scarves to be identified and killed) to step 7 (code word: Year Zero), 8, 9 and 10. Step 5 could also be included.