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Activity 3: Government, Religion, War, Dance

Show the first twenty minutes of the video "Rebuilding the Temple, Cambodian in America" (found in kit). This portion of the video is very powerful and ties together many of the issues addressed in the short stories. It is an excellent way to clarify issues and promote critical-thinking discussions.

  1. Before showing video to children, watch the entire video.
  2. Stop the video after the Cambodian killings are discussed. Ask children for their responses and reactions.
  3. Continue the video until it comes to the second part, titled Cambodians in America and then stop. Review all questions from the children.
  4. After the video, divide the children into four groups: Government, Religion, War, Dance. Note: The video mentions the importance of dance to the Cambodians and how Pol Pot abolished dancing. Discuss this with students before dividing them into groups.
  5. Students should develop questions about their topic (government, religion, war and dance) with their groups.
  6. After students brainstorm questions, meet as a group and list the questions on the board.
  7. On the following day display a time line (below) and address all student questions. Many of the questions students have will be clarified with the time line.

Note: Reviewing chapters in the books "Pol Pot" and "Cambodia" will be very helpful.

 

Cambodia Time Line

1858

Cambodia asks French to help fight the Thai and Vietnamese

1863

French agree to protect Cambodia (lasts until 1953)

1941

King dies and French choose Sihanouk (nephew) to be the new king

1941

French lose W.W.II and Japanese enter Cambodia but leave French in charge

1945

Japanese ask French to leave Cambodia

1946

King Sihanouk asks French to return

1953

France give independence to Cambodia

1955

King Sinhanouk gave up the throne to his uncle and was elected Prime Minister

1958

Pol Pot takes charge in Cambodia. Became the second most important person of the Communist movement in Cambodia

1962

Pol Pot completely in charge of Communist movement

1965

US troops go to fight in Vietnam.

1970

General Lon Nol took over Sinhanouk's Prime Ministership without Sinhanouk's knowledge

1971

Cambodia was bombed because Vietnamese were hiding in Cambodia

1975

Pol Pot takes Phnom Penh and renames Cambodia Democratic Kampuchea

1978

Vietnam invades Cambodia

1978

Vietnam withdraws voluntarily

1979

Vietnam invades again and takes over the capital

1989

Vietnam withdraws from Cambodia. Fighting begins between the Communists and the Cambodians

1990s

UN peace negotiations taking place to help make peace in Cambodia

1990s

Pol Pot was invited to join the unified government but Cambodians forced him out of the negotiations