IN THE SHADOWS OF UTOPIA
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EPISODES

13. The Royal Crusade For Independence

12/2/2021

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How does Cambodian Independence day originate in November 1953? What does the First Indochina War look like in Cambodia? How does a young Pol Pot 'join the maquis'?

Time Period Covered January – December 1953 

This episode explains the actions of King Sihanouk that one French General declared were ‘that of a madman, but a madman of genius’. Almost out of the blue the Cambodian king will claim independence for his country and end almost a century of French colonial rule. Meanwhile, the First Indochina War will bring its ruin to the Cambodian countryside and Saloth Sar will join the communist struggle against the French in the jungles. 

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
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12. Khmer Viet Minh / Pol Pot in Paris (PT II)

12/2/2021

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​How did the First Indochina War become part of the Cold War? When did the Khmer students studying in Paris become communists? What influenced Saloth Sar to become a revolutionary?

Time Period Covered 1947-1953

This episode explains the way that the first ‘Vietnam War’ began developing into something recognisably part of the Cold War. We also trace the path of the young Pol Pot as his studies in Paris become influenced by a rising influence of communism. Cambodian politics and the return of Son Ngoc Thanh will produce a change in the rule of King Sihanouk, and the early developments of what will be the Khmer Rouge’s ideology begin taking shape. The Viet Minh dissolve the 'Indochinese Communist Party' into discrete parties based on national lines, and the Khmer People's Revolutionary Party is formed - the organisation that will eventually become the Communist Party of Kampuchea and the Khmer Rouge.

Sources 
​Philip Short Pol Pot: History of a Nightmare
David Chandler The Tragedy of Cambodian History
Milton Osbourne Sihanouk
Ben Kiernan ​How Pol Pot Came to Power
Edward Miller ​The Vietnam War
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11. Khmer Issarak / Pol Pot in Paris (PT I)

12/2/2021

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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


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    Categories
    ​

    All
    Angkor
    Cambodian Civil War
    Communism
    First Indochina War
    French Indochina
    Interviews
    Khmer Rouge Tribunal
    Modern History
    Pre Modern Cambodia
    Saloth Sar
    Second Indochina War


    Providers
    ​

    The show is available on all major podcast providers and YouTube. Just search for "In the Shadows of Utopia" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

    Visit Audioboom for a full list of listening options


    Credit
    ​

    All Episodes Written, Recorded and Produced by Lachlan Peters ​©

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  • About
  • Episodes
  • Video Essays
  • Blog
  • Show Content
    • Dramatis Personae
  • Support
  • Lachlan