GENOCIDE IN RWANDA

RWANDA’S HISTORY

Former colony of Belgium 1916 – 1962Belgians considered Tutsis superior

Rwanda Gained independence in 1962 Two major ethnic groups in Rwanda

Hutus (90% of population)○ peasants

Tutsis (10% of population)○ aristocracy

SEEDS of CONFLICT IN RWANDA

1962 the Hutus take control of the government

Hutus discriminate and alienate TutsisHutus act violently towards Tutsis

Some Tutsis managed to escape to refugee camps

GENOCIDE

Intentional destruction of a group of people

FIGHTING IN RWANDA

The spark that began the genocideThe presidents plane is shot down killing

both the presidents of Rwanda and BurundiNo one knows for sure who did this

Presidential Guard retaliates They began rounding up and killing

Tutsis Bribes and radio propaganda encourage

moderate Hutus to join in the killing Tutsis United Nations withdraws after 10

soldiers are killed.

AFTERMATH Over 800,000 have been killed

(535,000 people in Fort Worth)10,000 killed per day in Rwanda

Tutsis seize control and more than 2 million Hutus fled to Zaire (DR Congo)

Coalition Government formed Tutsis now control government