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Mr. Nelson – Global History & Geography 10www.nelsonsglobal.weebly.com /

nelsonsaphumangeography@gmai.com

Rwandan Genocide ProjectDue ________________

This is the only true ‘project’ that we’ll do all year. Besides the tests and essays it’s important to delve deep into the history of an event like the genocide of 1994 which still resonates today, and from which there are important lessons to be learned. Let’s get to the practical stuff first. . .

Grading: This is large, longer term project that will include information from our notes, an in-class film (Hotel Rwanda), readings, and a series of outside sources that you find on your own. Because it is so involved and

detailed, it will be a total of 100 points, or the equivalent of two full 50 point multiple choice tests. My advice – don’t be overwhelmed, see it as an

opportunity.

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Part 1 will pertain to the history of the genocide, as well as its aftermath, which you will research independently using a series of resources I’ll

provide on class website (50 points).

Part 2 will pertain directly to the film, Hotel Rwanda, tying in aspects of the history itself, as well as the stages of genocide discussed in class. (50

points).

PART 1 – The History and Aftermath (50 points – 1 page)

Directions

On your first page, I want you to summarize and describe in some detail the events of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

I DO NOT WANT MY NOTES RECOPIED! I’ve put sources below that have details not in the notes,

and I want them reflected in your work

Resources:

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http://www.history.com/topics/rwandan-genocide http://endgenocide.org/learn/past-genocides/the-rwandan-genocide/ http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/04/140407-rwanda-genocide-today-anniversary/

PART 2 – The Film (50 points, 1-2 pages)

*These questions mostly go in sequential order of what you see in the film, however some of them (like number 3, for example) are seen throughout the film.

1. Who is the main character, Paul Rusesabagina – his job, his ethnicity, etc.?

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2. The film begins right on the eve of the actual killings – what is some evidence that Paul witnesses that shows that tension is building between Hutu and Tutsi?

3. What are some of the techniques that Paul uses (once the violence begins) to protect Tutsis?

4. Describe the population of the hotel BEFORE (and right at the time) when the killings begin.

5. What happens to those guests at the hotel (the ones described in number 4)?

6. Describe the role of the United Nations Peacekeepers (the guys in the blue helmets) during the film – what role do they play? What can they do/not do?

7. What are some ways that Paul uses the hotel as a way to keep people safe? Describe scenes in the movie where he does things to protect people

8. How is the conflict resolved? What happens?

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PART 3 – Research of Another Genocide (40 points, 1-2 pages)

*Note – for this part you may not use Rwanda or the Holocaust of Jews during World War II

Requirements:You will be tasked with addressing the following elements of your chosen genocide:

1. A brief summary of the events of the genocide. For example, address the major “W’ questions of journalism – WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY – in order to give a background to the actual genocide

2. Identify the victims and perpetrators of the genocide (who was being killed and who was doing the killing?)

3. Statistics (numbers of people killed, wounded, displaced, refugees, etc.)

4. Describe and give visual representation of each of the seven stages of genocide. If you forget the stages, look over the last few pages of this packet. Remember, most genocides follow these exact stages, however if you have trouble identifying any of them for your particular genocide please ask me.

5. A conclusion of how you think the genocide could have been avoided6. Give any updated information on the genocide. By update I mean

information as to what happened AFTER the killing ended

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(ongoing prosecution of perpetrators, new litigation, etc.…look on google.com or nytimes.com). Many of the people who committed these crimes are just now being brought to trial.

Genocides: These are the major genocides of the 20th/21st centuries. While there are certainly other examples, these are the largest and most well-known. You will choose 1 of the following 6 genocides and address the six questions on page 4 in no less than 2 pages.

1. Pol Pot and the ‘Killing Fields’ of Cambodia2. “Ethnic Cleansing” in Bosnia-Herzegovina3. The Kurdish Genocide in Iraq in 1993 by Saddam Hussein4. The Armenian Genocide of 19155. Darfur, Sudan 20036. Myanmar (present day killing/discrimination of Rohinya

Muslims by Buddhists)

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