11. Khmer Issarak / Pol Pot in Paris (PT I)

12/2/2021

What does the anti-colonial scene look like in Cambodia? Who are the Khmer Issarak and how do nationalists and young Cambodian students relate to this movement as well as the growing war in Vietnam with the returning French?

Time Period Covered 1945 - 1950

Saloth Sar, the young Pol Pot, will arrive in Paris in October 1949. In this episode we trace the path that he takes to get there, as well as the very important developments in Cambodian and world history that are taking place at this time. Resistance to French colonialism takes the shape of the 'Khmer Issarak' in Cambodia, a banner which includes many different groups and figures - some open to communist ideology and some staunch nationalists. Leaders such as Dap Chhuon, Prince Chantaraingsey, Puth Chhay and Son Ngoc Minh are discussed, as well as the circumstances around the beginning of the First Indochina War. Meanwhile, Saloth Sar is introduced to communist ideology in Paris, and a group of students including Ieng Sary, Thioun Mumm, Keng Vannsak and more will organise themselves along Marxist inspired politics.

Sources
Philip Short Pol Pot: History of a Nightmare
David Chandler The Tragedy of Cambodian History
Milton Osbourne Sihanouk
Christopher Goscha Vietnam A New History
Ben Kiernan Viet Nam
Edward Miller The Vietnam War

2 Comments

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21/11/2022 06:34:24 pm

Over the past decade, while many have come and gone, one band has remained unshakeable in the hearts and minds of many of us. That band was Pol Pot in Paris. This is a collection of our reflections on the band in honor of their 20th anniversary.

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28/9/2024 11:40:07 pm

This is a fascinating exploration of Cambodia's anti-colonial movement during such a pivotal period in history! The emergence of the Khmer Issarak and the varied ideologies within this movement highlight the complexity of resistance against French colonial rule. Understanding the roles of key figures like Dap Chhuon and Son Ngoc Minh, alongside the influence of young Cambodian students in Paris, adds depth to the narrative of national identity and political awakening. The connection to the broader context of the First Indochina War and the impact of returning French forces make this topic even more relevant. I look forward to learning more about how these developments shaped Cambodia's future, especially with the rise of figures like Pol Pot. Thank you for shedding light on this critical moment in history!

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