description Pol Pot Overview
Pol Pot, born Saloth Sar, was a Cambodian communist revolutionary and the leading figure of the Khmer Rouge. He headed the government of Democratic Kampuchea from 1975 to 1979, when the regime forcibly relocated urban residents, imposed collective agricultural labor, and used prisons, executions, and political purges against people it treated as enemies. These policies caused mass death through execution, starvation, disease, and overwork, forming the central events of the Cambodian genocide.
help Pol Pot FAQ
Who was Pol Pot?
Pol Pot was the revolutionary name of Saloth Sar, the leading figure of the Khmer Rouge. He headed the government of Democratic Kampuchea from 1975 to 1979.
What policies did Pol Pot's government impose?
The government forcibly relocated urban residents, imposed collective agricultural labor, and restricted normal family, religious, and political life. These policies contributed to mass death from execution, starvation, disease, and overwork.
When did Pol Pot rule Cambodia?
Pol Pot's regime controlled Cambodia from 1975 until 1979. Vietnamese forces captured Phnom Penh in January 1979 and removed the Khmer Rouge government from power.
Was Pol Pot the same person as Saloth Sar?
Yes. Saloth Sar was his birth name, while Pol Pot was the name by which he became known as Khmer Rouge leader.
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