How Did Pol Pot Change Cambodia

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“Since he is of no use anymore, there is no gain if he lives and no loss if he dies.”- Pol Pot. Pol Pot is a very influential and creative leader and succeeded in his time as leader. The secret Communist party of Kampuchea in Cambodia; the Khmer Rouge and their leader Pol Pot created an army. Pol Pot managed to gain his followers using his influence and Ideology. During the years 1975-1979 Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge and the people responsible of an estimated 1.5-3 million deaths and a Cambodian genocide. Pol Pot had a strong influential ability and was able to recruit many members to his new group of followers. The Khmer Rouge had a large amount of children involved, soldiers were as young as 10 years old and some were responsible to help in running killing fields. …show more content…

The Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot combined elements of Marxism in their idea of ideology. They also interpreted xenophobia and an extreme version of nationalism. This struck fear in Cambodia and was the start of a devastating genocide. Pol Pot influenced a social policy within the Khmer Rouge. This policy is closely related to that of communism. These policies and ideas were effective in the attempt to change Cambodia forever. Pol Pot changed society in Cambodia using his strong leadership skills and solid perception on how to run the Khmer Rouge if he wanted to accomplish his goal. The Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot caused a change in the entirety of the population, because of this Cambodia was also greatly affected agriculturally. Cambodia was isolated from all foreign influence. Schools, factories, and hospitals were closed down. All of this leading to the ultimate goal of changing Cambodia forever. “They wanted to transform Cambodia into a rural, classless society in which there were no rich people, no poor people, and no exploitation.”-Cambodia Tribunal Monitor. This quote explains what the Khmer Rouge wanted to