Insert introduction here!Thesis: The turbulent history of Cambodia and its neighbor, Vietnam, led to the rise of Pol Pot as leader of the Khmer Rouge, and this continued climate of political unrest led to a mass genocide and insurgency that continues to contribute to Cambodia's instability today. The Cambodian struggle against ninety years of French colonization played an important role in the uprising of communism in Cambodia. In 1863 the French declared that Cambodia would become a French protectorate. In 1941, during World War II, Japan took control of much of Asia, including Cambodia. In the same year (1941), Norodom Sihanouk became king of Cambodia. The Japanese let France continue to control Cambodia, until the fall of Paris in 1944. In short, Japan took power. This occupation by the Japanese and also the French was the beginning of the rise of communism in Cambodia. After the end of World War II in 1945, the Japanese withdrew from Cambodia after four years of occupation. Shortly thereafter, in 1946, the French returned to Cambodia and declared it a protectorate again. Upon France's return, a new constitution was enacted that allowed Cambodians to form political parties. It was then that many communist parties really began to form. After eight years of a new French protectorate and ninety years after the first, the Cambodians finally managed to win and obtain their independence. Once independence was achieved, Cambodia officially changed its name to the "Kingdom of Cambodia". Between 1953, when the French left Cambodia, and 1975, when the Khmer Rouge invaded, King Sihanouk took control of the new Kingdom of Cambodia. Soon after the birth of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Sihanouk abdicated (giving up his throne)... middle of paper... to the farms to clean up the capital, Phnom Phen. “The Khmer Rouge's first word was a lie wrapped in deep anger and hatred for the kind of society they believed Cambodia was becoming.” The Khmer Rouge immediately began their takeover by telling the people of Phnom Penh that the United States was planning another attack on Cambodia, targeting the capital. They forced millions of residents of Phnom Penh and other cities to leave their homes. All people were evacuated to farms where they would spend their time cultivating sustenance. While the people farmed, the Khmer Rouge ruthlessly pillaged the entire city of Phnom Penh, breaking down every locked door and stripping the homes of anything of value. Even though thousands of Khmer Rouge followers helped destroy the city of Phnom Penh, the select few who led the Khmer Rouge are the ones to blame..