Cambodia Genocide Essay

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"If you have a disease of the old society, take a dose of Lenin as medication." , a common saying the Khmer Rouge ruled by during the course of the Cambodian genocide. (Mai) Genocide’s are often fueled by intolerant intergroup relations, the lack of tolerance approaches to intergroup relations have the potential to be as severe as the genocide, specifically Cambodian genocide.This genocide that occurred between 1975 to 1979 was a harrowing event that resulted to the murder of millions and resulted to a fragile nation. When Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975, their policies and ideals sparked the occurrence of the genocide that lead to a treacherous period of time especially for individuals who were deemed enemies and peasants of the nation.. …show more content…

A UN investigation reported 2-3 million people were killed and UNICEF estimated 3 million. Khmer Rouge dismissed and executed anyone who were seemingly against their ideals in any way, meaning the individuals with higher education, part of minorities or had the incapability to do agricultural work were all executed. Khmer rouge were fuled with paranoia and extremism. The motive behind these executions began when the Khmer Rouge wanted Cambodia to resemble the policies of Maoist and marxist-leninist theorist, they had the goal of turning Cambodia into a rural classless society of collectivized farms this was known also as “Year …show more content…

Moreover, to save ammunition the executions were primarily carried out through poisoning, use of spades or sharpened bamboo sticks. Often times victims also had to dig up their own graves and then be buried alive.Children and infants of adult victims usually had their head bashed against trunks of Chankiri trees and thrown in the pit along with their parents. The reason was, “ to stop them growing up and taking revenge for their parents’ deaths”. Around 20,000 people were tortured into confessing for things they did not commit at Tuol Sleng, a school in Phnom Penh that was turned into a jail. Suspects were also often shot on the spot without any further