The Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Nightmare
The Communist Party of Kampuchea - better known by the name ‘Khmer Rouge’ given to them by King Norodom Sihanouk in the 1960s - implemented one of the most radical societal upheavals of the 20th century. When they took control of Cambodia following a brutal civil war on the 17th of April 1975, they went about enforcing a total transformation of the country. They intended to create a radical Maoist and Marxist-Leninist state with no classes, no exploitation, and no need for help from foreign countries. Their revolution was described by many survivors of the three-year, eight month and twenty days that it lasted as, a ‘prison without walls’. The Khmer Rouge found many within the population that were deemed unable to participate in their glorious utopia, these "enemies" and “counter-revolutionaries” were to be swept away.
The results of this project represent a tragic period of mass death and suffering in which more than one quarter of the population perished. A nightmare that Cambodia is still recovering from today.
In the Shadows of Utopia is a podcast about Cambodian history, the rise of the Khmer Rouge, the Pol Pot Regime, and the Cambodian Genocide. Utilising extensive research as well as interviews with experts and historians, Lachlan Peters aims to present a comprehensive narrative history which explores Khmer culture and history before the Khmer Rouge period, as well as the tragic history of Democratic Kampuchea. To explain how and why this happened, delving deep into the past and the combination of internal and external circumstances which pulled Cambodia into the shadows of utopia, is the principal goal of this podcast.
This limited series is presented in a way that is accessible to those who are unfamiliar with the subject, but with enough depth to appeal to those who are. This Cambodian history podcast can be found on all major providers, as well as accompanied by visuals on YouTube.
The results of this project represent a tragic period of mass death and suffering in which more than one quarter of the population perished. A nightmare that Cambodia is still recovering from today.
In the Shadows of Utopia is a podcast about Cambodian history, the rise of the Khmer Rouge, the Pol Pot Regime, and the Cambodian Genocide. Utilising extensive research as well as interviews with experts and historians, Lachlan Peters aims to present a comprehensive narrative history which explores Khmer culture and history before the Khmer Rouge period, as well as the tragic history of Democratic Kampuchea. To explain how and why this happened, delving deep into the past and the combination of internal and external circumstances which pulled Cambodia into the shadows of utopia, is the principal goal of this podcast.
This limited series is presented in a way that is accessible to those who are unfamiliar with the subject, but with enough depth to appeal to those who are. This Cambodian history podcast can be found on all major providers, as well as accompanied by visuals on YouTube.
Listener Reviews
Great listen
As a second generation Cambodian living in Australia, I have really appreciated this podcast in being able to listen and learn about my roots and the trauma of my people. Thank you for your care and your diligence in describing such a rich history of Cambodia
Lachlan! Thank you! A true gift for my children!
This is an extremely wonderful podcast that will go down in history! At least through my eyes and ears! Thank you so much for taking your time to carefully create this gift for my children to understand. I, their parent had to leave my beloved homeland during that era. Your podcast is on point and well researched. Very true account of my suffering during that time.
Top tier |
Great Job! |