The Genocide In Cambodia

Throughout history, many genocides have taken place all over the world. One of those being the Cambodian Genocide in 1975 to 1979. According to Yale´s Genocide Studies Program, this event ¨was one of the worst human tragedies of the last century.¨ In 1975, approximately one fourth of Cambodia's population was killed. The rise of the communist power, Khmer Rouge, caused the country to fall into horrible devastation. All people who opposed the Khmer Rouge’s visions were tortured and killed. The background of Cambodia played a big role in the genocide; there are many events that led to the communist party taking over. The Khmer Rouge were ruthless murderers who sought to destroy anyone in their path. The tragedy resulted in a huge death toll of …show more content…
The country was ruled by France for almost one hundred years until it gained independence in 1953. According to the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, all power was given to Norodom Sihanouk until 1970 when he was forcibly removed from office by Lon Nol, the Cambodian Lieutenant-General. Sihanouk and his loyal disciples fled and joined a communist group called the Khmer Rouge. Civil war soon started between the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, and the Khmer Republic, ruled by Lon Nol. Not only were these two forces involved in civil war, but they were also caught up in the Vietnam War. Cambodia, however, managed to stay neutral throughout the war in Vietnam by playing both sides. Viet Cong, the communist group in Vietnam, “were allowed to use Cambodian ports to ship in supplies, while the US was allowed to bomb Viet Cong hideouts in Cambodia” (World Without Genocide). After that war came to an inconclusive end, the civil war in Cambodia continued. As stated by the United To End Genocide Foundation, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge defeated Lon Nol and took control of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, on April 17, 1975. This marked the beginning of the Khmer Rouge …show more content…
The guerrilla group was mostly composed of young peasant boys from rural villages. A civil war had been going on for years between the Khmer Republic and Khmer Rouge. They were very loyal to their leader, Pol Pot; therefore, when they got the orders to take control of Phnom Penh, there was no hesitation. The residents of the city were forced to evacuate their homes. Loved ones were separated, and families were torn apart. Anyone who did not follow the Khmer Rouge’s directions was murdered. All of the citizens were then put in labor camps where they experienced many