The Killing Fields (jan 1, 1970 – jan 1, 1973)

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The Killing Fields refers to the period between 1970 and 1973, during which Cambodia endured extensive bombings that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.7 to 2.2 million people, representing nearly 25 percent of the country's population. In response to these bombings, orchestrated by the Khmer Rouge government led by Pol Pot, many Cambodian families sought refuge by fleeing from affected areas. The Khmer Rouge aimed to establish a classless society by abolishing capitalism, private property, and urban life. As a result, the regime forcibly relocated around 7 million Cambodian citizens to work camps across the country, compelling them to rebuild their lives under dire conditions while trying to survive.

Those who attempted to escape from these camps faced severe consequences, including torture and execution for being perceived as threats to the government. The Khmer Rouge stripped individuals of their basic rights, denying them food, medical care, and other essential services, which led to widespread mortality among the population. Visual documentation from this era reveals horrifying scenes, including large gatherings of skeletal remains, serving as a grim testament to the scale of the atrocities.

An illustration of the repressive environment established by the Khmer Rouge is the Tuol Sleng Prison, originally a school in Phnom Penh. This facility was repurposed as a detention and torture center, where, between 1975 and 1979, approximately one-third of Cambodia’s population was subjected to execution, torture, or death by starvation. The Communist Cambodian Party successfully overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979, providing survivors with an opportunity to escape from these camps.

The impacts of the Killing Fields were profound and enduring. Survivors continue to grapple with the trauma and loss resulting from this tumultuous period, and Cambodian culture itself has been significantly disrupted.

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