Pol Pot

Pol Pot became the leader of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge). He began building a secretive organization dedicated to establishing a radical agrarian communist state in Cambodia.

Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh, ending the Cambodian Civil War. Pol Pot's regime immediately began evacuating the city, forcing millions into rural labor camps. This marked the start of the Cambodian genocide.

Pol Pot declared 'Year Zero,' abolishing money, markets, and schools. The regime forced the entire population into agricultural communes, abolished religion, and executed intellectuals. This led to mass starvation and death.

Under Pol Pot's leadership, the Khmer Rouge regime systematically killed an estimated 1.5 to 2 million Cambodians through execution, forced labor, and starvation. The regime targeted intellectuals, ethnic minorities, and political opponents.

Vietnamese forces invaded Cambodia and captured Phnom Penh, overthrowing the Khmer Rouge regime. Pol Pot fled to the Thai border, where he continued to lead a guerrilla insurgency for years.