Word: Khmer Rouge
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The Khmer Rouge was a communist group that started in Cambodia in 1970. In 1975, they took control of the capital city, Phnom Penh, and established a government that was responsible for the deaths of about three million people during a time of severe oppression and violence. They were eventually defeated by Vietnamese forces but continued to exist as a group until 1999.
In more advanced discussions, you might refer to the impact of the Khmer Rouge on Cambodian society, politics, and culture. For example: - "The legacy of the Khmer Rouge continues to influence Cambodian politics and the collective memory of its people."
"Khmer" on its own refers to the ethnic group of people in Cambodia, and "Rouge" means "red" in French. However, in this context, "Khmer Rouge" specifically refers to the political organization.
While there are no direct synonyms for "Khmer Rouge," you might encounter related terms like: - "Communist Party of Kampuchea" (the official name of the Khmer Rouge). - "Pol Pot" (the leader of the Khmer Rouge).
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "Khmer Rouge." However, discussions about the Khmer Rouge often involve phrases like: - "Rise to power" (referring to how the Khmer Rouge came to control Cambodia). - "Fall from power" (referring to their defeat by Vietnamese troops).
The Khmer Rouge is a significant historical term that represents a dark period in Cambodian history.