what did the khmer rouge do for four years in cambodia starting in 1975
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The first six articles should tell you everything you need to know. It was awful.
The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. During this period, they implemented drastic policies that had a devastating impact on the country and its people. To understand what the Khmer Rouge did during their time in power, we can look at historical records and accounts, as well as firsthand testimonies from survivors.
1. Establishing a Communist Regime: When the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975, they sought to transform Cambodia into a classless, agrarian communist society. To achieve this, they abolished money, private property, and social classes, including education and healthcare systems.
2. Evacuation of Urban Areas: Almost immediately after taking control, the Khmer Rouge forced the urban population to leave the cities and relocate to the rural areas. They considered urban dwellers as enemies and wanted to establish an agrarian society with a focus on agriculture and farming.
3. Forced Labor and Collectivization: Under the Khmer Rouge regime, forced labor was extensively practiced. Individuals were subjected to arduous agricultural work, often without proper tools or resources. The Khmer Rouge implemented the policy of collectivization, where people were organized into communal labor units called "work cooperatives" and forced to work in rice fields or other labor-intensive projects.
4. The "Year Zero" Ideology: Khmer Rouge leaders aimed to erase the past and start anew with a clean slate. They implemented a radical ideology known as "Year Zero," which involved the dismantling of traditional institutions, religion, and cultural norms. Intellectuals, professionals, and anyone suspected of having connections to the previous regime were targeted and often executed.
5. Genocide and Mass Killings: One of the most horrific aspects of the Khmer Rouge regime was the widespread violence and killing. The regime sought to eliminate perceived enemies, including political opponents, religious minorities, intellectuals, and anyone deemed a threat to their revolution. It is estimated that between 1.7 to 2.2 million people, roughly a quarter of Cambodia's population at the time, were killed through executions, forced labor, starvation, and disease.
These facts provide an overview of what the Khmer Rouge did during their four-year rule, but it is important to note that the full extent of their actions is still being uncovered and studied today. Survivors' testimonies and historical evidence have shed light on the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge and provide a somber reminder of the human suffering that occurred during that period.