Factors Leading to Genocide and Consequences of It

Factors Leading to Genocide and Consequences of It

The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, during the Democratic Kampuchea

(DK) regime headed by Pol Pot, is considered to be one of the worst

human tragedies of the 20th century. In comparison with other

genocides that have happened in other countries, this one brought

together extremist ideology with ethnic hostility and also a terrible

indifference for human life. Khmer RougeÂ’s ideology developed into

massive murders of civilians and massive repressions and ended up with

the massacre of native and foreign population. There are many reasons

lead to such terrible events and consequences of them in the history

of Cambodia. Such reasons as the rising in power of the Khmer Rouge

and their engagement in genocide; the political game of the US in

Cambodia; the ouster of Norodom Sihanouk in the coup by General Lon

Nol, US invasion into Vietnam and Vietnam War are the main reasons

leading up to genocide in Cambodia. The events leading to the eventual

Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979 and the genocide itself paved the road

to the rapid degeneration of Cambodian, and it is the prevailing

reason that it now suffers as a third world country.

Before speaking about the role of King Sihanouk in forming of the

situation lead to civil war and genocide in Cambodia, I want to dwell

on situation in post 1945 situation in Cambodia. After the World War

II France was still weak, but wanted to rise in power in once owned

region -- Indochina. However, the conditions in the region werenÂ’t

favorable for France anymore, because Cambodian after several month of

freedom in 1946 wanted to become free and be fully ind...

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