Khmer Rouge

The Khmer Rouge was made up of rebelling communists in Cambodia that set out to turn Cambodia into a Communist society. This was done under the orders of Pol Pot, a cruel and brutal leader who killed nearly two million of his own people in hopes of turning Cambodia’s government into an ideal Communist government. Pol Pot ruled by intimidation, and threatened anything and anyone that would have jeopardized his goals. Populations of urban areas were evacuated, and sent to do slave work, this included all men, women, and children. Many of the victims were brutally killed, and tortured. However, a majority of the people died from starvation, devastating diseases, and exhaustion.

Pol Pot had only managed to take his own thoughts into consideration, and ruled without even the acknowledgment of his people. There is no reason for one man to make a simple decision that effects the entire country. In Pol Pot’s attempts to make Cambodia into a Communist Society he basically stripped down the citizens of all they had, and simply demanded all of his people to start living by the rules of this entirely new lifestyle. This led to numerous insolvable problems between the two. This miscommunication between a leader and his people is what is clearly unacceptable to have a functioning country.

The disagreement or inability to come to a compromise is what causes problems, and can lead to drastic events, including the Cambodian Genocide. Pol Pot was completely focused on his goals of communism he was willing to take the lives of two million people, which was about twenty-one percent of Cambodia’s population.

In order for Pol Pot to convert all of Cambodia into a comm

unist society he had to make very drastic changes, this included him taking away or destroying all private property, closing down necessary businesses including banks, hospitals, and schools. He also forced people out of their homes, and made them do slave labor for twelve to fourteen hours a day. He gave the citizens of Cambodia no say, and no chances to adjust; he immediately took action.

Pol Pot’s ideas to change the government was different from the motivation of other genocide's. Although it was a horrible event that ended the lives of two million people, it differs because unlike the Holocaust, the Cambodian Genocide, and the Khmer Rouge was done in order to change the government, instead of just killing out of hatred and the unbearable feelings towards people.

Pol Pot had no communication, and had no consideration towards his citizens, and no one would dare try and stop him, so his reign continued on. He didn’t posses of any of the characteristics of a leader, and therefore didn’t rule in the best interest of the country, but his own interests. This shows what a poor leader he was. There should always be a strong relationship between who is in power, and the citizens. Pol Pot was a horrible leader, and all of the citizens were forced to pay the price for his bad choices.

Pacts and Treaties Effect on The Invasion of Poland

In order for a world war to take place, you must first have an event that triggered it, and all the countries that are effected to take action. Before long, you have a ton of countries either coming together or fighting against each other even if that one little event didn’t concern them in the beginning. This comes as a result of treaties and pacts that are signed between countries. Pacts make it very hard for two countries to fight without involving many others. The invasion of Poland by the Germans is a perfect example how pacts can have a very negative effect on the world.

What started out to be a battle for territory among two countries soon turned into a war throughout Europe. Shortly after Germany invaded Poland, the Russians took the side of Germany and also invaded Poland on September 16, 1939, as a result of their non-aggression pact signed in August 23, 1939. This pact stated that they would work together, and they also planned to take over and divide the territory of Poland. Great Britain and France knew that Poland would never stand a chance against these two wartime allies. So, British P.M. chamberlain gave up on the appeasement, and Great Britain and France pledged their support to Poland if Germany were to attack. As time goes by more pacts are signed, binding countries together, and are now responsible for protecting not only their country and territory but the other country's who they made the pact with as well.

All of the other countries began getting deeply involved and before too long more and more countries would somehow get tied in. This is how World War II became triggered by a small battle over precious territory. And since Great Britain had signed a treaty to protect Poland, they declared war on Germany. So, basically Great Britain ended up fighting Poland’s battles. And if no treaties were signed, then no other countries other than Germany and Poland would have been involved in this battle and World War II would not have been brought on over this ridiculous obsession over territory. It used to be that every country fought for themselves, but now countries constantly find themselves fighting another country’s battles.

In the beginning of World War II pacts were not only being made but also being broken. If a country decides to break a pact due to a disagreement, that country has now made another enemy and it’s forces are weakened. When Hitler abolished the Polish- German Non-Aggression Pact not only did he betray Poland but he also created tension, and started the battle that soon lead to World War II. I feel that countries should be responsible for defending themselves, not only will this reduce the chances of world wars, but also keep peace, and not allow one country to suffer as a result of having to fight another country’s battles.

Another effect of pacts, are that if you are a stronger and more threatening to an enemy many times they will view you as the prime target. Therefor, since your country is stronger you will be looked upon as a major enemy, and then the country, the whole reason you started fighting, then fades into the background and becomes forgotten while you continue to fight. And since the other country is weaker, they will not be of much assistance in helping you fight off your new enemy.

Pacts and Treaties have many good and bad effects. However, if given the choice I don’t think that pacts should be made, it only involves more people and more territory, and can result in devastating situations.