1. Cultural Collision The Rwandan Genocide
Kristi Hodges

2. Warm-Up 1: Reflect on a time when you stood by silently while an injustice occurred.
We are going to study a fairly recent event in our history in which a horrific injustice occurred while the world stood by silently. April 7 marks the beginning of the genocide in Rwanda, when nearly one million innocent people were systematically slaughtered in a period of just under 100 days.
DAY 1

3. One Hundred Days One Million Dead 3
Rising tensions based on racial divisions and the oppression of some groups of people set the stage for
the horrific events that occurred in Hutu officials began preparation to carry out a massive
genocide of the Tutsi minority. They trained and armed militias and gave arms to civilians. They
distributed lists of people who were to be targeted and killed. Messages of hate were broadcast over the
radio, encouraging the killing of Tutsi and opponents to the Hutu regime. The messages portrayed
Tutsis as evil cockroaches and rats.
The killings began the night that Rwandan President Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot
down near Kigali Airport. The President’s own supporters, Hutu extremists, are believed to have
orchestrated the attack in order to prevent the President from signing peace agreements although the
exact circumstances have never been determined.
Hutus used different “tools” or methods to carry out the genocide: assassinations, deathlists, hate
propaganda, demonizing, civilian militias, and rape. Almost one million people were killed during 100
days of genocide. The United Nations "estimated that at least a quarter-million women were raped"
during the genocide. (Tina Rosenberg, Editorial Observer; New Punishment for an Ancient War Crime, N.N. Times, 5 Apr. 1998, at § 4, 14).
One Million Dead 3

4. What is genocide. Let’s brainstorm some key words to define genocide
What is genocide? Let’s brainstorm some key words to define genocide. Specifically in Rwanda.
KWL WS #1 T/F Quiz

5. Where is Rwanda? Landlocked
Rwanda is just slightly smaller than Maryland
Landlocked
10.7 Million people in the country
Houston has about 2.25 Million people
Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa
Trying to overcome the limitations of its small, landlocked economy by leveraging regional trade
Landlocked
10.7 million people. Houston has about 2.25 million people
Most densely populated country in Africa 5

6. Land of a Thousand Hills
RWANDA
Land of a Thousand Hills 6

7. Rwanda is called the “Land of a Thousand Hills”
Breaking African Stereotypes
Green rolling hills, lush
Rwanda is called the “Land of a Thousand Hills” 7

8. Golf Course in Kigali, Rwanda
Breaking African Stereotypes
Kigali, capital of Rwanda
Golf Course and part of current skyline/ future city plan
Golf Course in Kigali, Rwanda 8

9. Militia – a private army - NOT the government’s military
Names and Terms
Militia – a private army - NOT the government’s military
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) – Tutsi Militia
Interahamwe – Hutu Militia
use radio station to get out signals (cut the tall trees)
kills the President of Rwanda & Burundi and say the Tutsi did it. This gives them the excuse to start killing them.
George Rutaganda – leader of the Interahamwe
General Bizimungu – Gen. of Rwandan Army (aids the Interahamwe)

10. Rwandan President, Paul Kagame meeting with US Presidents
Breaking African Stereotypes
Rwandan President, Paul Kagame meeting with US President Bush
Rwandan President, Paul Kagame meeting with US Presidents 10

11. Genocide has specific components:
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, ethnicity.
What are some examples of genocide in the 20th century?

12. Genocide: 1994
TALKING POINTS
• Rwandans shared a common culture and had an organized government structure before the
colonists arrived.
• Belgian and German colonists divided the people of Rwanda into 3 different racial
classifications: Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa.
• The Belgians thought that the Tutsis were a superior people because they were more “white.”
• After independence, the Hutus gained power and oppressed the Tutsis, using the same racial
classification that was used again them.
• The genocide was planned and carried out through orchestrated public opinion campaigns using
radio, television, newspapers, and other hate propaganda.
Tools of genocide: assassinations, death lists, hate propaganda, demonizing, civilian militias, and rape
The United Nations estimated that at least a quarter-million women were raped during the genocide 12

13. Day 2 – Warm-up 2 : What is the purpose of ID cards(drivers license, passport, etc.)? How are they used in the U.S.?
Activity
For each vocabulary term provide:
Definition written in your own words
Picture or symbol
A Synonym, analogy, or metaphor

14. 11. machete
12. visa
13. “cockroach”
14. intervene
15. unrest
16. manager
17. Video footage
18. treaty
19. refugee
20. Peacemaker
Peacekeeper
convoy
militia
Rebel
Massacre
6. tensions
7. genocide
8. rules of engagement
9. Ethnic
10. evacuation
definition in your own words, picture or symbol, & synonym, analogy or metaphor

15. groups will stand and present definitions of the five terms assigned
groups will stand and present definitions of the five terms assigned. You need to draw a picture and Identify a synonym, analogy or metaphor

16. Day 3 Warm-up 3: If you got a flat tire on the interstate, would you know who to call in order to get help? (not a relative)

17. Jigsaw Activity (Day 3 and 4)
Today you will be divided into groups of four. Within your groups you will research and gather information for one of the four topics. You will become the Expert! You will then teach the class about your topic. A WRITTEN SUMMARY AND A VISUAL AID WILL BE REQUIRED.
United Nations
Hutus
Tutsis
Belgians
Jigsaw Activity (Day 3 and 4)

18. Group Roles Person 1- Who are they? Brief background and origin.
Person 2 – What was their role before, during and immediately after the genocide?
Person 3 – What was their desired outcome? Why? Did they succeed in their goal?
Person 4 – Visual Aid
Group Roles

19. Dr. Livingstone & the Slave Trade
In the 1800s, Dr. Livingstone wanted Europe to spread the 3 Cs into Africa to stop the Slave Trade:
- Commerce
- Christianity
- their Civilization
Europe thus stops the Slave trade and starts Colonizing…

20. Colonizing Africa 4 Main European Countries that Colonize Africa:
Britain
France
Portugal
Germany
5 “Benefits” European bring into Africa:
New crops
Legal system
Basic schooling
Roads
Medicine

21. European powers divide Africa amongst themselves
Rwanda & Burundi are given to Germany
WWI ends in 1919
Germany lost, thus lose all their colonies
Belgium is given Rwanda and Burundi.
Berlin Conference of

22. Timeline
For centuries, the Hutus and Tutsis lived together peacefully in a feudal relationship.
Hutus farmed and give food to Tutsis.
In-turn the Tutsis give Hutus protection from invading tribes.
1959–1960 – Hutus start an uprising in Rwanda & start killing Tutsis.
Hutus overthrow Tutsi king
200,000 Tutsis were driven into exile in neighboring countries
1962 – Rwanda and Burundi gain independence
Hutus gain control of Rwanda
Tutsis gain control of Burundi

23. 1990 – the children of the Tutsi exiles form the R.P.F.
& begin a civil war against the Hutus in Rwanda
April 1994 – the Hutu genocide against the Tutsis begins
July 1994 – Tutsi forces gain power in Rwanda.
approx. 2 million Hutu refugees (fearing Tutsi revenge) flee to neighboring countries
 Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but several thousand remained in the neighboring DRC and formed an extremist rebellion with the goal of retaking Rwanda.
1996 – Civil War erupts in Burundi between Hutus & Tutsis
Timeline (con’t)

24. Ethnic Groups Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%
Mention that over the history of Rwanda, each of the people groups would intermarry and have children. In modern Rwanda, it is very difficult to distinguish between Hutus and Tutsis. Twa, maybe a little easier. 24

25. History: Racial Classification and Colonialism
The size of the nose and the color of the eyes were factors that determined whether a person was classified as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa.
Prior to colonization, the people of the region lived together. The Belgian colonization put one group above the others.
In order to strengthen their control, the Belgian colonists divided Rwanda’s unified population into three
distinct groups: Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa.
In order to do this, the colonists created a strict system of racial classification. Both the Belgians and the
Germans, influenced by racist ideas, thought that the Tutsi were a superior group because they were
more “white” looking.
The colonists believed that the Tutsi were natural rulers, so they put only Tutsis into positions of
authority and discriminated against Hutus and Twa.
The size of the nose and the color of the eyes were factors that determined whether a person was
classified as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa.
Even though prior to colonization, the people of the region that became Rwanda lived together,
the Belgian colonization put one group above the others.
Photos: Amnesty International Film Forgotten Cries 25

26. Tutsis vs. Hutus Tutsis “natural leaders” Hutus
Warriors and Cattle Owners
Favored by Belgians – promoted in society
Hutus call them cockroaches
Hutus
Largest ethnic group in Rwanda
Farmers by tradition
Exploited by Belgians
denied positions of authority until Belgians leave, then they are given all power in the government.
Tutsis vs. Hutus

27. Day 4 Warm-up 4: Have you ever asked a teacher for help with a problem, and not received the help you needed? How did you feel?

28. Today you will be divided into groups of four
Today you will be divided into groups of four. Within your groups will read and create a timeline for one of the four areas. You will become the Expert! You will then teach the class about your topic.
Create a timeline from 1994 for each groups perspective.
After plane was shot down to present
United Nations
Hutus
Tutsis
Other Global Events
Jigsaw Activity Day 4

29. Day 5 Warm-UP 5: What role does media play in your life
Day 5 Warm-UP 5: What role does media play in your life? Have you ever watched or read a story that made you angry or made you take action? Do you ever discuss the news with your parents? Friends? Presentations: Jigsaw Activity
United Nations
Hutus
Tutsis
Other Global Events
Human Rights

30. day 6 Warm up 6: In a life threatening crisis, whose safety would matter the most to you? Why? Activity: show movie- Viewing guide WS #2
Give students a list of the characters in the film and their photographs.
Review the following slides to build background knowledge for the film.
2.1=23 minutes

31. Hotel Rwanda
Movie
Notes

32. Names & Terms Rwanda required people to carry ID cards
– stamped Hutu or Tutsi
Kigali – Capital of Rwanda
Paul Rusesabagina  Main character, Hutu,
hotel manager
Tatiana Rusesabagina  Paul’s wife, Tutsi
Colonel Oliver – United Nations Official
in real life he is a Canadian man named
Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire

33. Day 7 warm-Up 7: Explain the quote, “We are here as peacekeepers, not peace makers.” Activity: 2.2 =15 minutes 2.3 =19 minutes

34. Day 8 warm-up 8: When watching the nightly news, does it incite you to take action? Activity: 2.4 = 20 minutes 2.5 = 18 minutes

35. Day 9 warm-up 9: in the movie, how does Paul play both sides. Why
Day 9 warm-up 9: in the movie, how does Paul play both sides? Why? Activity: WS #2 due Power of Media

36. Day 10 Warm-Up 10: How did Malala and Paul know how to resolve the conflicts they were presented with? Did someone teach them? Did they follow a specific procedure, hierarchy,
Community Problems: Make a chart that answers these questions.
#1 What was the problem Malala identifies in her community? What did she do about it? What did her efforts accomplish? Did media play a role? Would she be any less heroic if she would have died when the Taliban shot her?
#2 What was the problem Paul identified in his community? What did he do about it? What did his efforts accomplish? Did media play a role? Would he have preferred different results?

37. 9/19/autocratic-leaders-who-improve-their- countries/human-rights-should-be-a-priority
Room for Debate:
Students will read different opinions about Human Right Issues.
Some type of activity???

38. Read the Declaration of Human Rights
Look at answers to warm-up 5
Does Malala’s story pertain to Human Rights?
How did you feel about the unfairness in Pakistan?
Do you think Malala did a good job reporting the situation from a Human Right’s perspective? If yes, how; if no, why not?
Did Malala’s book make you want to take action?
How did media play a role in Malala’s story? Did it help you form your opinion about Malala’s plight?
Write an article covering the situation in Pakistan. Focus on Human Rights.

43. Justice System
“Big” criminals of the genocide tried in Arusha, Tanzania.
The new government resurrected an old tribal court system called Gacaca.
Gacaca
“Big” criminals of the genocide tried in Arusha, Tanzania.
Resurrected old tribal court system 43

48. Poster of Fugitives Wanted for Genocide in Rwanda

50. General
Bizimungu

51. George Rutaganda April 2010

52. Lt. Gen. Roméo Dallaire
Colonel Oliver’s character in Hotel Rwanda was based UN’s Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire.
Dallaire wrote an autobiography titled Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda (2003). In 2007, the book was turned into a movie.
The book & movie recount Dallaire's harrowing personal journey during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide & how the United Nations failed to heed Dallaire's urgent pleas for further assistance to halt the massacre.