Cambodian Killing Cambodian Killing FieldsFields
Corinne Nidoy and Samantha Corinne Nidoy and Samantha MassonMasson
Motives
Vietnam war and carpet bombing spills over into Cambodia creating hatred towards the USA.
After the decolonization from France Cambodia was left with an unstable government which allowed corrupt ones to take its place.
““People don't simply wake up People don't simply wake up one day and commit genocide. one day and commit genocide.
They start by setting They start by setting themselves apart from others” themselves apart from others”
- Michael Newdow- Michael Newdow
Pol Pot joined a communist party in France which set him and his ideals apart in Cambodia, people wanted to hear what he had to say
Methods
Schooling by Pol Pots allowed beliefs to be instilled at a young age
Pol Pots gave the people hope with plans for better and more productive agriculture
Once in, Pol pots used the Khmer Rouge troops and their fear mongering to show his power over his people
Cambodian culture was used against it’s citizens to keep them faithful to the cause
““Since he is Since he is of no use of no use anymore, anymore, there is no there is no gain if he gain if he lives and no lives and no loss if he loss if he dies.” - Pol dies.” - Pol PotPot
A nation that was changed-Nationalism and traditions were the smoke screens used to perform Ultranationalism with the population’s support
-National interests, or those of Pol Pot, were the driving force towards the genocide that took place
Consequences
Undetermined amount of lives lost (estimate 1-3 million)
““To what extent should To what extent should individuals or governments be individuals or governments be
held accountable for crimes held accountable for crimes against humanity?”against humanity?”
“he was simply obeying higher orders when he supervised the prison and that he would have been killed had he disobeyed.” -Kaing Guek Eav
“I did not join the resistance movement to kill people, to kill the nation. Look at me now. Am I a savage person? My conscience is clear.” – Pol Pot
It is not only the government It is not only the government or the people it can be a or the people it can be a
combination, in Cambodia combination, in Cambodia though, many where though, many where
influenced and Cambodia was influenced and Cambodia was brought to it’s knees by Pol brought to it’s knees by Pol
Pot. The ones that can not be Pot. The ones that can not be blamed though are the millions blamed though are the millions
of innocent and unnamed of innocent and unnamed dead.dead.
“It's up to history to judge.” – Pol Pot