17. The Khmer Rouge's New Vanguard

19/4/2022

How did Pol Pot become leader of the Khmer Rouge?
What did prominent communists like Khieu Samphan do in Sihanouk’s Cambodia?
Were there limits to Sihanouk’s power and tightrope act?

Time Period Covered 1960-1963

We begin with a reflection on how Cambodian history can permeate even seemingly mundane spaces, before looking in on a secret communist seminar led by the new leader of the Khmer Rouge. This episode functions as a revisit of some loose ends left as the Cambodian communists began taking their own steps toward having an independent movement from the Vietnamese, as well as how the roles in that party began taking shape. We learn about the mysterious death of Tuo Samouth, as well as the circumstances that precede the vitally important year of 1963.

Apologies for some audio hiccups, this one was recorded in a different location.

Sources

Philip Short Pol Pot: History of a Nightmare
David Chandler The Tragedy of Cambodian History, Brother Number One, A History of Cambodia
Ben Kiernan How Pol Pot Came to Power
Milton Osbourne Sihanouk
Elizabeth Becker When the War was Over
Norodom Sihanouk My War with the CIA

3 Comments

Kristiaan Zundorf

5/7/2022 04:35:12 am

I am Dutch and a big fan

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14/1/2023 10:49:44 am

You've posted a photo on the website for this episode. I wonder if you could let me know what it represents--perhaps the second party meeting you mention of the Workers' Party to elect a new leadership after the death of Tuo Samouth

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9/7/2024 05:30:45 pm

This episode sounds fascinating! It dives into a specific moment in Cambodian history, 1960-1963, which seems crucial for understanding the rise of the Khmer Rouge. I'm particularly interested in learning how Pol Pot rose to power within the party and how other key figures like Khieu Samphan fit into the picture under Sihanouk's rule. It seems the discussion will also explore the limitations of Sihanouk's authority during that period. I'm curious to hear how these internal communist dynamics played out alongside the broader Cambodian political climate. Even though there are some audio issues, I'm eager to listen and learn more about this critical turning point.

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