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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.
- Before showing video to children, watch the entire video.
- Stop the video after the Cambodian killings are discussed. Ask children for their responses and reactions.
- Continue the video until it comes to the second part, titled Cambodians in America and then stop. Review all questions from the children.
- 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.
- Students should develop questions about their topic (government, religion, war and dance) with their groups.
- After students brainstorm questions, meet as a group and list the questions on the board.
- 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