KHMER ROUGE Meaning and
Definition
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The Khmer Rouge refers to the radical communist regime that ruled over Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The term "Khmer Rouge" literally translates to "Red Khmers" in the Khmer language, which reflects their allegiance to the Communist Party of Kampuchea. This extremist political group, led by Pol Pot, aimed to transform Cambodia into a self-sufficient agricultural society based on Marxist principles.
Under the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodia underwent a period of devastating social and economic restructuring. The regime pursued a policy of forced labor and enforced a radical agrarian revolution by relocating urban populations to rural areas. This resulted in the forced evacuation of cities and the establishment of labor-intensive collective farms where millions of Cambodians were subjected to grueling agricultural work.
The Khmer Rouge implemented various repressive measures to maintain control, including curbing individual freedoms, suppressing religious practices, and executing perceived enemies of the state. Their rule resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including mass killings, torture, forced disappearances, and the persecution of intellectuals, professionals, and ethnic minorities.
The regime was overthrown in 1979 when Vietnam invaded Cambodia, leading to the establishment of a new government. The Khmer Rouge's reign of terror left an indelible mark on Cambodia's history, with an estimated two million people (approximately a quarter of the population) losing their lives due to execution, forced labor, starvation, or disease. The legacy of the Khmer Rouge continues to impact Cambodia today, as the country continues to grapple with its traumatic past and work towards justice, reconciliation, and national healing.
Common Misspellings for KHMER ROUGE
- jhmer rouge
- mhmer rouge
- lhmer rouge
- ohmer rouge
- ihmer rouge
- kgmer rouge
- kbmer rouge
- knmer rouge
- kjmer rouge
- kumer rouge
- kymer rouge
- khner rouge
- khker rouge
- khjer rouge
- khmwr rouge
- khmsr rouge
- khmdr rouge
- khmrr rouge
- khm4r rouge
- khm3r rouge
Etymology of KHMER ROUGE
The term Khmer Rouge comes from two different words. Khmer refers to the dominant ethnic group in Cambodia, which comprises the majority of its population. Rouge is a French word that means red. The term Khmer Rouge was coined by the regime itself when they came to power in Cambodia in 1975. They named their organization Angkar Padevat Khmer Rouge, which translates to Organization of the Khmer Rouge. The color red symbolized communism, and it was commonly associated with leftist revolutionary movements. Therefore, the name Khmer Rouge could be understood as The Red Khmer or The Communist Khmer.
