Cambodian Killing FieldsCambodian Killing Fields

Corinne Nidoy and Samantha MassonCorinne Nidoy and Samantha Masson

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 one day and People don't simply wake up one day and commit genocide. They start by setting commit genocide. They start by setting

themselves apart from others” - Michael themselves apart from others” - Michael NewdowNewdow

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 of no Since he is of no use anymore, there use anymore, there is no gain if he is no gain if he lives and no loss if lives and no loss if he dies.” - Pol Pothe dies.” - Pol Pot

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 individuals or To what extent should individuals or governments be held accountable for crimes governments be 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 or the people it It is not only the government or the people it can be a combination, in Cambodia though, can be a combination, in Cambodia though, many where influenced and Cambodia was many where influenced and Cambodia was brought to it’s knees by Pol Pot. The ones brought to it’s knees by Pol Pot. The ones

that can not be blamed though are the that can not be blamed though are the millions of innocent and unnamed dead.millions of innocent and unnamed dead.

“It's up to history to judge.” – Pol Pot