Genocide in Rwanda

First Things First - Warm Up Do you think that something like the Holocaust could happen again? Explain.

What is Genocide? Genocide Includes acts committed with the intent to destroy (in whole or in part) a group of people based on a specific characteristic of the group (such as race, religion or ethnicity). Genocide in Rwanda Between April and June of 1994 an estimated 800,000 Rwandans, from a groups known as the Tutsis, were killed in the span of 100 days.

A long time ago Rwanda and Burundi were one nation….. What Happened? A long time ago Rwanda and Burundi were one nation…..

A Division Begins In the 18th century, when Rwanda emerged as a powerful and populous nation, its rulers began to measure their power in the number of their cattle The Tutsi were “rich in cattle”. They were the elite and ruling class. On the other hand, the Hutu had less livestock and less power.

A Division Begins The Hutus were the majority – around 84%. But they were considered commoners. The Tutsis were the minority – around 15%. But they were considered the elite, ruling class because of their large estates, large number of servants, and large number of cattle.

Physical Appearance Because the Hutus and Tutsis did not usually intermarry, their offspring began to develop similarities in their features. The Tutsis were often very tall, thin, with narrow features, and fair skin. The Hutus were often shorter, stronger, with broader features, and darker skin

Colonization The Germans were the first Europeans to colonize Rwanda in the early 1900’s After WWI, the League of Nations took the country away from Germany decided that Belgium would rule Rwanda.

Colonization Belgium decided to use the class system (that had already been put into place) to their advantage. The Belgians favored the Tutsis and gave them privileges and western-style education.

Why do you think the Belgians did this? Stop…..and think….. Why do you think the Belgians did this?

Their Reasons Were… The Belgians did this because they could control Rwanda easier this way. The Belgians also favored the Tutsis because they appeared more European in their tall, slender features. They discriminated against the Hutus because they appeared less European.

Who is Who? After creating laws that gave special privileges to the Tutsi, the Belgians ran into a problem… how could they be sure who was a Tutsi and who was a Hutu? The solution: Have every single citizen register and carry an identification card. If you could not give proof of your ancestry, the Belgians would simply measure your height and other features.

Who is Who? If you appeared more European, they listed you has a Tutsi. If your features were shorter, darker, stronger, etc. they listed you has a Hutu.

Identification Cards

Growing Anger… Growing tired of the discrimination what do you think the Hutus are going to do?

The End of Colonization The Party for the Emancipation of the Hutus is formed in 1959. It is called Parmehutu. Hutus rebelled against the Belgian colonial power and the Tutsi elite. 150,000 Tutsis flee to Burundi (which at the time was part of Rwanda). In the 1960’s Belgium withdraws from Rwanda Rwanda and Burundi split into two different countries.

Hutus Fight Tutsis Still angry at being repressed and discriminated against for so many years, the Hutus fight the Tutsis. Many Tutsis are massacred, and many flee Rwanda. Some Hutus said that they needed to clean up the “filth” and kill the Tutsi “cockroaches.” August 1993-The Hutus have ruled the country for many years, but the Tutsi refugees want to return to Rwanda. Following months of negotiations, President Habyarimana (a Hutu President) and the RPF (Rwanda Patriotic Front) sign a peace accord that calls for a return of Tutsi refugees. 2,500 United Nations troops are deployed to Kigali to oversee the peace accord.

Can There Be Peace? Despite a peace accord, the Rwandan president stalls in created a unified government in which the power is shared. At the same time, training of militias and violence intensifies. An extremist radio station, Radio Mille Collines, begins to warn: “it is almost time for us to cut down the tall trees.” This was code for, “it is almost time to kill all of the Tutsis.” Human rights groups warn the international community of an impending genocide.

Can There Be Peace? In March of 1994, the human rights groups are forced to flee Rwanda due to the impending calamity. Only the Red Cross stays behind. April 6, 1994 - President Habyariamana and president of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira, are shot down in a plan and killed.

The Genocide Begins The Hutu militia, at one point 30,000 people strong, slaughtered any Tutsi that came in their path. They encouraged regular Hutu civilians to do the same. In some cases, Hutus were forced to kill their Tutsi neighbors. In the span of 100 days, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis were slaughtered. They were killed primarily with knives, machetes, and clubs. 100,000 of these were children.

The Genocide

An End to the Genocide By July, the RPF (a Tutsi organization) captured the city of Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a cease-fire. As soon as it became apparent to the Hutus that the Tutsis were victorious, close to 2 million fled to Zaire (now the Republic of Congo) On July 19 a new multi-ethnic government was formed, promising all refugees a safe return to Rwanda. Pasteur Bizimungu, a Hutu, was inaugurated as president, while the majority of cabinet posts were assigned to Tutsis. The new government of Rwanda continues to seek justice for the innocent murder of close to a million people. Many people have been tried in court and found guilty of war crimes. 500 have been put to death for their war crimes, and another 100,000 are still in prison!!!

Genocide in Rwanda Genocide Review

Assignment Google Classroom Find the Rwanda Documents Answer the questions following each document

Exit Ticket Holocaust : Jews Rwandan Genocide : _________ Germans Belgians Hutus Tutsis

Exit Ticket 2. ______________ involves acts committed with the intent to destroy a group of people based on a common characteristic genocide homicide infanticide colonization