Short Answer 
The Cambodian genocide, linked to the Vietnam War’s fallout, arose as the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, capitalized on the chaos to enforce radical agrarian and socialist policies. These brutal measures, including forced evacuations and the targeting of perceived enemies, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.5 to 2 million people from 1975 to 1979.
1. The Context of Political Upheaval
The genocide in Cambodia was intricately linked to the turmoil caused by the Vietnam War. The conflict destabilized the region, leading to a civil war in Cambodia that created a power vacuum. This chaotic environment allowed the Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, to rise to power in 1975, promoting the idea of establishing an agrarian socialist society.
2. Brutal Policies of the Khmer Rouge
Upon seizing control, the Khmer Rouge implemented radical policies aimed at reshaping Cambodian society. Their strategies included:
- Forced evacuation of cities and relocation of people to rural areas.
- Abolition of money and implementation of collectivized agriculture.
- A campaign to eliminate perceived enemies of the state, targeting intellectuals and professionals.
This aggressive social engineering was intended to create a new Cambodian identity, but led to vast human rights violations, including torture and executions.
3. The Consequences of Resistance and Genocide
Efforts by educated Cambodians to resist the regime’s oppressive policies were met with brutal repression by the Khmer Rouge. When attempts to reeducate the populace failed, the regime escalated to massacres. Consequently, an estimated 1.5 to 2 million people lost their lives from 1975 to 1979 due to these policies, solidifying the genocide as a significant tragedy in Cambodian history.