Ung Family Research Paper
Andrew Li
Jolle
AP World History
12 August 2013
The Cambodian Genocide’s effect on the Ung Family
In examining the reasons causing the tragedy of the Ung family after the Cambodian Genocide in 1975, one can assume that these reasons include economic breakdown (continuity of the Angkar trading crops for firearms), government collapse (changes in the soldiers’ behavior towards the villagers, continuity of Khmer Rouge killing villagers at Lo Reap), and the lack of social interactions (changes in communication within the village of Lo Reap).
The economic breakdown had a great deal of impact on the Ung family because of the Angkar constantly exchanging crops for firearms. Born into a picture perfect, middle class family, Loung lives in the …show more content…
While living in Phnom Penh, Loung and her family lived under the stable government of Lon Nol with plenty of food, shelter, and freedom. They were successful because Pa was a military policeman. Loung states “He has four stripes on his uniform, which means he makes good money” (Ung 10-11). When the Khmer Rouge soldiers invade the city and forces everybody out, Loung’s long and dreary war against the Angkar begins. As Loung and her family travel on the seven day trip following the evacuation, they are frightened at the possibility that they could be slayed anytime. Pa warns them “The Khmer Rouge are executing people perceived to be a threat against the Angkar. This new country has no law or order. City people are killed for no reason…even people who wear glasses, as the soldiers view this as a sign of intelligence” (Ung 51). After surviving a brutal seven day walk, the family arrives at Lo Reap. With the Khmer Rouge soldiers given full control, they have the power to do anything they want to the villagers. One morning, two soldiers arrived at the family’s door and said to Pa, “We need your help. Our ox wagon is stuck in the mud a few kilometers away. We need you to help us drag it out” (Ung 102). Knowing what was going to happen, Pa says his goodbyes to the family and that was the last of him. Because Ma knew it wasn’t safe to live together anymore, she tells the children to go to separate work camps as orphans. After Loung, Chou, and Kim go their separate ways, they all find homes at labor camps. One morning, Loung wakes up with tremendous pain and realizes, “I have to see Ma. It is dangerous to travel without permission, but I do not care. I have to go to her... I know they are calling out to me. But I cannot accept it. I know” (Ung 159). The Khmer Rouge soldiers continue to assault the villagers in fear that one day they’ll one day grow strong and take revenge on
Jolle
AP World History
12 August 2013
The Cambodian Genocide’s effect on the Ung Family
In examining the reasons causing the tragedy of the Ung family after the Cambodian Genocide in 1975, one can assume that these reasons include economic breakdown (continuity of the Angkar trading crops for firearms), government collapse (changes in the soldiers’ behavior towards the villagers, continuity of Khmer Rouge killing villagers at Lo Reap), and the lack of social interactions (changes in communication within the village of Lo Reap).
The economic breakdown had a great deal of impact on the Ung family because of the Angkar constantly exchanging crops for firearms. Born into a picture perfect, middle class family, Loung lives in the …show more content…
While living in Phnom Penh, Loung and her family lived under the stable government of Lon Nol with plenty of food, shelter, and freedom. They were successful because Pa was a military policeman. Loung states “He has four stripes on his uniform, which means he makes good money” (Ung 10-11). When the Khmer Rouge soldiers invade the city and forces everybody out, Loung’s long and dreary war against the Angkar begins. As Loung and her family travel on the seven day trip following the evacuation, they are frightened at the possibility that they could be slayed anytime. Pa warns them “The Khmer Rouge are executing people perceived to be a threat against the Angkar. This new country has no law or order. City people are killed for no reason…even people who wear glasses, as the soldiers view this as a sign of intelligence” (Ung 51). After surviving a brutal seven day walk, the family arrives at Lo Reap. With the Khmer Rouge soldiers given full control, they have the power to do anything they want to the villagers. One morning, two soldiers arrived at the family’s door and said to Pa, “We need your help. Our ox wagon is stuck in the mud a few kilometers away. We need you to help us drag it out” (Ung 102). Knowing what was going to happen, Pa says his goodbyes to the family and that was the last of him. Because Ma knew it wasn’t safe to live together anymore, she tells the children to go to separate work camps as orphans. After Loung, Chou, and Kim go their separate ways, they all find homes at labor camps. One morning, Loung wakes up with tremendous pain and realizes, “I have to see Ma. It is dangerous to travel without permission, but I do not care. I have to go to her... I know they are calling out to me. But I cannot accept it. I know” (Ung 159). The Khmer Rouge soldiers continue to assault the villagers in fear that one day they’ll one day grow strong and take revenge on