HUTU & TUTSIHUTU & TUTSI

RwandaRwanda

What’s going on?What’s going on?

Background informationBackground information When German explorers, as well as the Belgian and French missionaries first came to Rwanda they observed in the royal court a ruling class, the Tutsis, and a subservient class, the Hutus. When German explorers, as well as the Belgian and French missionaries first came to Rwanda they observed in the royal court a ruling class, the Tutsis, and a subservient class, the Hutus.

This class structure was maintained by the European colonist.This class structure was maintained by the European colonist.

supporting as they did the Tutsi minority governing class. supporting as they did the Tutsi minority governing class.

Racial Classification Racial Classification

Belgians colonists divided Rwanda’s unified Belgians colonists divided Rwanda’s unified population into two distinct groups: Hutu, population into two distinct groups: Hutu, Tutsi.Tutsi.

Belgians and Germans influenced by racist Belgians and Germans influenced by racist ideas, thought that the Tutsi were a superior ideas, thought that the Tutsi were a superior group because they were more “white” group because they were more “white” looking.looking.

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The size of the nose and the color of the The size of the nose and the color of the eyes were factors that determined whether a eyes were factors that determined whether a person was classified as Hutu, Tutsi.person was classified as Hutu, Tutsi.

The colonists believed that the Tutsi were The colonists believed that the Tutsi were natural rulers, so they put only Tutsis into natural rulers, so they put only Tutsis into positions of authority and discriminated positions of authority and discriminated against Hutus.against Hutus.

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The Hutus make up about 85% of The Hutus make up about 85% of Rwanda’s population, but they Rwanda’s population, but they were denied higher education, land were denied higher education, land ownership and positions in ownership and positions in government.government.

Independence and Hutu RuleIndependence and Hutu Rule

1959, violence between the Tutsi and Hutu 1959, violence between the Tutsi and Hutu erupted. erupted.

Hutu overthrew Tutsi rule, declared an Hutu overthrew Tutsi rule, declared an independent republic and elected first Hutu independent republic and elected first Hutu presidentpresident

Mass killings of Tutsis occurred during the Mass killings of Tutsis occurred during the transition to Hutu rule, hinting things to transition to Hutu rule, hinting things to come.come.

VocabularyVocabulary

Genocide = the deliberate and systematic Genocide = the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.or cultural group.

Refugee= a person who flees for refuge or Refugee= a person who flees for refuge or safety, esp. to a foreign country, as in time safety, esp. to a foreign country, as in time of political upheaval, war, etc.of political upheaval, war, etc.

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United Nations = The United Nations = The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights works to strengthen and coordinate United works to strengthen and coordinate United Nations work for the protection and Nations work for the protection and promotion of all human rights of all persons promotion of all human rights of all persons around the world. The Secretary-General around the world. The Secretary-General has made human rights the central theme has made human rights the central theme that unifies the Organization’s work.that unifies the Organization’s work.

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The Germans and Belgians colonial The Germans and Belgians colonial powers both preferred the Tutsi and powers both preferred the Tutsi and rewarded them with positions of power, rewarded them with positions of power, once Rwanda was granted once Rwanda was granted independence in 1962, battle for independence in 1962, battle for control over the government, control control over the government, control over the land and cattle, and control over the land and cattle, and control over the social standings began. over the social standings began.

Review QuestionsReview Questions

1. Which group of people did the Belgians think were a 1. Which group of people did the Belgians think were a superior group?superior group?

2. Why did they think they were a superior group?2. Why did they think they were a superior group?

3. Which group declared an independent republic in 1959?3. Which group declared an independent republic in 1959?

4. Explain the Rwandan genocide.4. Explain the Rwandan genocide.

5. Which group was the largest ethnic group represented, 5. Which group was the largest ethnic group represented, Hutu or Tutsi?Hutu or Tutsi?

6. What determined the classification of each group? 6. What determined the classification of each group?