History of the Khmer Rouge and Its Impact

The Communist Party of Kampuchea, also known as the Khmer Rouge, took control of Cambodia in 1975 after winning the civil war.

The Khmer Rouge aimed to completely restructure Cambodian society based on their communist principles.

The Khmer Rouge's ideology included the eradication of foreign influence and the promotion of ethnic Khmer identity.

Under the Khmer Rouge, all pre-existing state institutions were destroyed and replaced with a new structure centered around Angkar.

The Khmer Rouge established a strict hierarchy with Pol Pot at the top, making all major decisions in secret.

The Khmer Rouge's policies aimed to create a self-sufficient agrarian society free from foreign influence.

The Khmer Rouge's policies led to the Cambodian genocide, characterized by mass killings and the eradication of intellectuals.

The Khmer Rouge declared "Year Zero" in Cambodia, closing schools and universities and forcing people into collective farms.

A violent period in Rwanda's history where the Hutu majority challenged the Tutsi ruling class, resulting in killings and displacement.

A rebel army led by Tutsis in Rwanda, often blamed for instigating the Rwandan Civil War and the assassination of the Rwandan president.

The ethnic group targeted during the Rwandan genocide, often characterized as tall and slender by perpetrators.

The ethnic group that played a significant role in the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis, led by a radical minority.

A radio station that played a role in inciting violence during the Rwandan genocide, broadcasting hate speech against Tutsis.

The former president of Rwanda whose assassination in 1994 is widely seen as the event that triggered the Rwandan genocide, leading to a power vacuum.

The strong belief that one's own ethnic group is superior, often leading to prejudice and discrimination against others.

The absence of any force or factor that could have stopped the Rwandan genocide, allowing the perpetrators to carry out their horrific acts.

The intentionalist model argues that the Rwandan genocide was planned and carried out intentionally by Hutu leaders who sought to eliminate the Tutsi population. This model suggests the genocide was not a result of escalating circumstances but a deliberate act driven by a desire to maintain power and eliminate the Tutsi minority.

The cumulative radicalization model suggests that the Rwandan genocide was a result of a combination of factors that escalated over time, including political turmoil, ethnic nationalism, and violence. It argues that the genocide wasn't a pre-planned event but rather an outcome of increasingly radicalized rhetoric and actions fueled by power struggles, historical grievances, and fear.

The ‘dogs that didn’t bark’ phenomenon in genocide studies describes situations where factors that typically precede genocides are present, yet genocide does not occur. These are cases where the expected warning signs are there, but genocide is somehow avoided.

Elite radicalization describes the process where powerful figures within a society intentionally promote hate and violence, often using propaganda and manipulation to incite fear and distrust among the population. They use this to further their own political agenda.

Polarization in genocide refers to the growing division and animosity between different social groups, often dividing society into distinct 'us vs. them' factions. This can be fueled by propaganda, discrimination, and violence, leading to growing tension and mistrust between groups.

The escalation of violence in genocide describes the increasing intensity and frequency of violent incidents over time. It starts with small acts of violence and discrimination, evolving into widespread and systematic attacks and killings. This gradual escalation often leads to the full-blown genocide.

Acts that intentionally cause significant harm to a group, including death, serious injury, deprivation of basic needs, and destruction of their infrastructure. They are often systematic and aim to eradicate the group in whole or in part.

Israel claims that its actions against Palestinians are based on a calculated plan to eliminate them as a group.

Israel's actions against Palestinians are characterized by targeted attacks, large-scale destruction, and the deprivation of basic needs, which they claim signify intention to erase the Palestinian population.

A situation where a population faces severe food shortages, potentially leading to widespread starvation and death.

Israel's actions, including blocking aid and targeting food deliveries, have raised concerns about a potential famine in Gaza. This suggests a disregard for the civilian population.

Israel's claim of self-defense against Hamas and their justification of their actions as a way to prevent future attacks.

Many people argue that Israel's actions are not a legitimate act of self-defense but a deliberate tactic aimed at eliminating Hamas and securing a future where Palestinian resistance is subdued.

Palestinian leadership has accused Israel of genocide. Israel denies these accusations and instead argues that violence is a necessary response to Palestinian attacks by Hamas.

Theories that focus on broad social conditions that contribute to genocide, like war or extreme nationalism.

Theories focusing on individual behaviors and factors that lead to genocide, like dehumanization, elite manipulation, or ideology.

A key factor in genocide that involves portraying a group as subhuman or inherently bad, making it easier to justify violence against them.

The coordinated use of violence against a specific population, often with the goal of eliminating them.

The use of violence to achieve a specific objective, like deterring an opponent or demonstrating power.

The process of comparing different cases of genocide to identify patterns and trends, aiding in understanding common causes and potential preventative measures.

The act of intentionally preventing genocide by addressing the causes and risk factors, as well as providing support for vulnerable groups.

A policy in the Soviet Union under Stalin that aimed to forcibly collectivize agriculture and eliminate private land ownership. It involved the confiscation of land and the suppression of resistance, leading to widespread famine in Ukraine.

A period of political repression in the Soviet Union during the 1930s under Stalin, characterized by mass arrests, executions, and forced labor camps. The regime targeted perceived enemies, including former elites, intellectuals, and members of the 'Kulak' class.

A term used to describe the forced removal and relocation of entire groups of people, often based on their ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs. This was common in the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule, particularly targeting 'Kulaks' and other perceived threats.

A term used to describe the Soviet Union's deliberate use of famine to weaken resistance to collectivization and eliminate perceived threats. This policy resulted in massive death tolls, particularly in Ukraine during the Holodomor.

A period of intense political and social upheaval in China (1966-1976) under Mao Zedong. It involved the mobilization of young people (Red Guards) to attack perceived enemies, including intellectuals, officials, and party members, aiming to reassert revolutionary ideals.