Essay On Pol Pot
Among the most notorious of totalitarian leaders, Pol Pot is known for his communist reign over Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. His regime, supported by several countries, resulted in a complete change within the country's society. Under his rule, millions of people died in what Pol Pot considered to be a sacrifice for a new society (TIME, 1999). Pol Pot was born Kompong Thong, Cambodia, in May of 1925. Due to heavy French influence in the country at this time, French was incorporated into Pol Pot's education. In 1949, Pol Pot began college in Paris under a scholarship. It was here that he discovered his interest in politics and communism, and it was here that sparked his regime as a communist leader (BBC News, n.d.). After four years of studying,
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Despite a strong opposition primarily from Vietnam, he had gained support from several major countries. After the bombing in Cambodia that began in 1969, the United States provided economic and military support for the Khmer Rouge. With the economic support, the Khmer Rouge was able to afford to continue their reign over Cambodia. The United States also aided in the destruction of the Cambodia that existed before Pol Pot by bombing and killing up to 150,000 Cambodian citizens in support of this regime (The Original Cambodian, 1993). This accounts for ten percent of the total death toll that resulted in this ruling. Along with the U.S., China also expressed support for the Khmer Rouge. They allied with them against the Vietnamese and the USSR, aiding them in military tactics and strategy. When Pol Pot wanted to go to war with Vietnam, China warned that the Vietnamese were more militarily advanced than Cambodia was. This prevented a potential disaster and downfall on the Khmer Rouge's part (Carvin, 1999). The Chinese also aided economically. They provided Cambodia with weapons in exchange for rice. This trade allowed Khmer Rouge to strengthen their military, gaining protection against their opposition. It also enhanced the relationship between China and Cambodia. In addition to the support from other countries, the Khmer Rouge received local support from peasants, who were used as pawns in Pol Pot's regime. However, due to cruel and
Despite a strong opposition primarily from Vietnam, he had gained support from several major countries. After the bombing in Cambodia that began in 1969, the United States provided economic and military support for the Khmer Rouge. With the economic support, the Khmer Rouge was able to afford to continue their reign over Cambodia. The United States also aided in the destruction of the Cambodia that existed before Pol Pot by bombing and killing up to 150,000 Cambodian citizens in support of this regime (The Original Cambodian, 1993). This accounts for ten percent of the total death toll that resulted in this ruling. Along with the U.S., China also expressed support for the Khmer Rouge. They allied with them against the Vietnamese and the USSR, aiding them in military tactics and strategy. When Pol Pot wanted to go to war with Vietnam, China warned that the Vietnamese were more militarily advanced than Cambodia was. This prevented a potential disaster and downfall on the Khmer Rouge's part (Carvin, 1999). The Chinese also aided economically. They provided Cambodia with weapons in exchange for rice. This trade allowed Khmer Rouge to strengthen their military, gaining protection against their opposition. It also enhanced the relationship between China and Cambodia. In addition to the support from other countries, the Khmer Rouge received local support from peasants, who were used as pawns in Pol Pot's regime. However, due to cruel and