Back to the full dot-point answer
NSWModern HistoryQuick questions
Section III (Peace and Conflict): Conflict in Indochina 1954-1979
Quick questions on Khmer Rouge in Cambodia 1975-1979: HSC Modern History Indochina
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is cambodia under Sihanouk?Show answer
Prince Norodom Sihanouk had ruled Cambodia since 1941 (as king to 1955, then as Head of State). His neutralist foreign policy balanced the US, the PRC, and the DRV. The DRV used eastern Cambodia as sanctuary and supply route along the Trail; Sihanouk tolerated this in return for PRC support and territorial guarantees.
What is the fall of Phnom Penh?Show answer
The Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh on the morning of 17 April 1975. The population poured into the streets in initial relief. Within hours the regime began the evacuation, claiming a US bombing was imminent. Hospitals were emptied; patients were pushed into the street in beds.
What is democratic Kampuchea?Show answer
The regime, formally Democratic Kampuchea from 5 January 1976, was hyper-secretive. Pol Pot (Saloth Sar) became Prime Minister in April 1976 but his identity as party leader was concealed; the regime referred to "Angkar" (the Organisation).
What is q1?Show answer
Source A is an extract from David Chandler on the Tuol Sleng archive. Using Source A and your own knowledge, explain the nature of the Khmer Rouge regime. [5 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Evaluate the extent to which the Khmer Rouge regime was the product of ideology rather than the conditions of war. [25 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Compare the views of Ben Kiernan and Philip Short on the origins of the Khmer Rouge genocide. [10 marks]
Have a question we have not covered?
This dot-point answer is short enough that we have not extracted many short questions yet. Read the full dot-point answer or ask Mo, our study assistant, in the chat for follow ups.