Notes: Rwanda

Geography

Rwanda is a landlocked country

It is located in eastern AfricaMost densely populated

country in Africa

Religion (approx.)

75% Christian25% traditional religions1-2% Muslim

People of Rwanda

Hutu (~80% of population) Were traditionally farmers in Rwandan society

Tutsi (~20%) Were traditionally cattle farmers. Because cattle were a measure of wealth, this made the Tutsis a kind of upper class.

An Important Note about these groups….

These titles/groups were based on occupation, not ethnicity

Hutus and Tutsis speak the same language, share the same culture

Intermarriage occurred People could go from being a Hutu to

being a Tutsi (or vice versa) by simply changing their occupation.

History of Rwanda

1890

Rwanda is colonized by Germany

1919

Belgium begins to rule Rwanda

1919-1962

During these 40 yrs, the Belgians created a strict class system.

Tutsis became upper class—they were given better education, better jobs, and power in gov’t

Hutus were not treated as well as the Tutsis

This caused feelings of resentment

The Belgian colonial government issued ID cards to Rwandans that identified them as either Hutu or Tutsi

1962

Belgium granted independence to Rwanda

Before Belgium left, they turned over their power to the Hutus.

The Hutus used their power to seek revenge on the Tutsis for their years of lower class status.

Every problem in Rwanda was blamed on the Tutsis

1990-93

Tensions between Hutus and Tutsis continue to flare up

1993

Rwanda’s president (a Hutu) agrees to share some government power with Tutsis

Hutus begin rioting in protest

April, 1994

Rwanda’s president is killed when his plane is shot down

Violence immediately erupts in the capital city of Kigali

April-July, 1994

A planned attackLists of NamesRadio Broadcast

April-July 1994

An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus are killed in approx. 100 days.

Weapon of choice=macheteGenocide or Civil War???

To Review….To Review….

HUTUSHUTUS

The majority

The peasant masses

Started revolution

TUTSISTUTSIS

The minority

Represented the aristocratic upper class

Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF)

BELGIUMBELGIUM

Rwanda was a colony of Belgium from 1919-1962

Part of the UN- thus agreed to follow the 1948 document that called for the prevention of Genocide.

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES

The most powerful country in the world

Often helps out countries in crisisPart of the UN- thus agreed to

follow the 1948 document that called for the prevention of Genocide.