Pol Pot was a communist leader in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, who brought great destruction and terror to his country and its people. After Pol Pot gained political control, he transformed Cambodia into a communist nation. Pol Pot brought devastation to Cambodia through the use of a group called the Khmer Rouge who he used to take control and instill fear in the Cambodian people. As the leader of Cambodia, Pol Pot destroyed all political, economic and social aspects of Cambodia. Pol Pot's goal of a classless society in Cambodia was achieved through the use of the Khmer Rouge to instill suffering among the population in Cambodia. Pol Pot's Marxist ideals and Khmer Rouge control led to a classless society and the lasting economic destruction of Cambodia. Pol Pot's interest in communism sparked in France while studying Marxism and the communist reign of Mao Zedong. Fortunately, Cambodia's poor economic system allowed him to take control of the country and gain power. Pol Pot was born in Kompong Thong, Cambodia, a cultural and French-speaking society. Pol Pot grew up in a French cultural society and therefore was influenced by Pol Pot to go to Paris, France for college. In France, Pol Pot began to move away from his studies and began to focus on his new interest in communism. Pol Pot was influenced by a group of friends who supported communism. “Pol Pot and his inner circle of revolutionaries adopted a communism based on Maoism and Stalinism, then took it to extremes” (New York Times Pol Pot) and adopted Marxist ideas to create a classless society. After joining this group, Pol Pot learned more about what communism was and how to use it to take control and power. Pol Pot and the revolutionary group in France were... in the center of the paper... because of the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge eliminated possible threats through two different tactics. The Khmer Rouge would kill anyone who posed a threat or scare away possible threats. The Khmer Rouge would kill anyone who attempted to speak out or disobey the rules. The Khmer Rouge scared so many people that Cambodian citizens were too scared to speak out, stand out, or rebel against Pol Pot. Pol Pot had also said, “The Khmer Rouge outlaws money and closes all markets” (New York Times Pol Pot). Pol Pot took the money so that the people had no power or voice. After taking the money away, Pol Pot had all the power and the only voice was his. Through this Pol Pot was able to control people. Pol Pot was able to skillfully use the Khmer Rouge to conquer Cambodia, instill fear in the people, eliminate any possible threat, and silence the voice of the people..