|
From 1975-1979, Pol Pot led
the Khmer Rouge political party in a reign
of violence, fear, and brutality over
Cambodia. An attempt to form a Communist
peasant farming society resulted in the
deaths of 25% of the population from
starvation, overwork, and executions. By
1975, the U.S. had withdrawn its troops from
Vietnam, and Cambodia lost its American
military support. Taking advantage of this
opportunity, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge seized
control of Cambodia. Inspired by Mao's
Cultural Revolution in Communist China, Pol
Pot attempted to "purify" Cambodia of
western culture, city life, and religion.
Different ethnic groups and all those
considered to be of the "old society",
intellectuals, former government officials,
and Buddhist monks were murdered. "What is
rotten must be removed" was a slogan
proclaimed throughout the Khmer Rouge era. |
|
