Background on Cambodia:
Cambodia is a country located in South-Eastern Asia that borders Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The Gulf of Thailand rests on the Western Coast and the Mekong River lies on the East side. Cambodia also has an alluvial plain ringed with mountains. Present day Cambodia came under Khmer rule in the 600s when the region had a large empire that dominated most of South East Asia. Cambodia was later ruled by the Kambuja and the French. After the decline of the Kambuja, the French colonized Cambodia in 1863. From there Cambodia was ruled as a French colony with French chosen leaders in power. This changed in 1941 when Nordom Sihanouk came to power. Cambodia was finally granted independence from France in 1949 after World War II (Infoplease).
The Khmer Rouge Flag
This flag from the time period of the Khmer Rouge represents the powerful control that the leaders of the Khmer Rouge had over the citizens of Cambodia. The flag's temple or monument signifies Angkor Wat; Cambodia's largest religious monument and the traditions of the Cambodian people. The red represent revolution, and the valiance and resolve of the Cambodian people. This flag serves as the archetypal symbol of the events of the Khmer Rouge.This flag symbolizes how quickly the role of leadership was able to change in Cambodia during the 1970s.Within a few years of the downfall of the Khmer Rouge a new democratic government was reinstated along with a new flag (Ehrmann).
The Khmer Rouge Leaders
This section of the page will give a brief description of the leaders involved in the Cambodian Genocide and what role they played. Hopefully this will help you in your research. The information involved is as accurate as possible.
Pol Pot: Puppet Master
Pol Pot as mentioned in the summary of the genocide (truth tab)was a manipulative, sociopathic, genius. His role in the destruction of many people's lives has left an impact that is irredeemable. By rallying the oppresed poor of Cambodia, he coverted those without power to those with power.
Nuon Chea: Brother # 2
Ieng Sary: Brother #3
Sary was the Foreign Minister during the Khmer Rouge's hold on Cambodia. He was also the brother-in-law to Pol Pot. He convinced hundreds of thousands of Cambodian
diplomats/intellectuals to return home to Cambodia to help with the new government. He was known as "Brother number 3" while in power. He was also a member of the Central Commitee of the Communist party of Kampuchea, led by Pol Pot during 1975-1979(Mydans).
Nuon Chea was the chief ideologist during the Khmer Rouge. He also went under the alias "brother 2" and was the deputy secretary of the Communist Party of the Kampuchea (Nuon Chea Biography.)
Khieu Samphan: Brother # 4
Khieu Samphan was the president of the state's presdisium in Democratic Kampuchea during 1976-1979. He was known during the Khmer Rouge as "brother 4." Khieu was also the succesor of Pol Pot in 1985 and lasted until 1998. Khieu was drawn into communism as a result of government oppression of his educational movements over the years(KHIEU SAMPHAN BIOGRAPHY).
Son Seng: Brother #89
Son was essentially the head of security and also worked closely with those at the infamous S-21 prison; where Vann Nath was located. He was appointed deputy prime minister and was responsible for defense. He also supervised the Santebal- the secret police of the Khmer Rouge. He also reorganized the distinctive CPNLAF(previous army) into the revolutionary army of Kampuchea( Wikipedia. )
