Genocide in the 20th Century

Genocide The systematic and purposeful destruction of a racial, political, religious, or cultural group.

Elements leading to the Holocaust Totalitarianism combined with nationalism History of anti-Semitism Defeat in WWI and economic depression blamed on German Jews

Elements leading to the Holocaust Hitler’s belief in the master race Final solution-Extermination camps, gas chambers The children in this picture were being used for medical experiments.

Armenian Genocide Location: Asia Minor (Turkey) 1915-1923 2 million Armenians killed through forced deportation and massacres by Turks

Background: Armenian Holocaust Armenians fought with Russia during WWI, Ottoman Empire fought with Germany Armenians told they were being relocated for “their own good” Controversy: To this day, Turkey denies that the Armenian genocide occurred, said there was a civil war. Armenians force marched- 75% perished on march-others were thrown off cliffs, burned alive, or drown in rivers.

Genocide in the Soviet Union Approved by Stalin 1930’s and 1940’s Soviet Union Targeted peasants, government and military leaders, and members of the elite

“The Great Purge” (Soviet Union) 20 million died in labor camps of famine or in large scale executions Widespread denunciations of family and friends and confessions were elicited through torture

Cambodian Genocide Led by Pol Pot 1975-1979 2,000,000 deaths Used mass starvation in the “killing fields” (targets: educated, artists, monks, former govt. officials, and minorities) Diet=1 tin of rice (180 grams) per person every 2 days. Torture included pulling out fingernails, peeling off skin, etc.

Cambodian Genocide Background Pol Pot led the Khmer Rouge (an armed resistance movement) Inspired by communism and Mao ZeDong Claimed he was “purifying” society by removing capitalism, western culture, city life, and all western influences. Cambodia was sealed off from outside world- $forbidden Pol Pot deposed by Vietnam in 1979, he continued to lead resistance for next 17 years. Died by heart attack before he could be tried for war crimes

Genocide in Rwanda Location-Rwanda (in Africa) Led by the Hutus against the Tutsis Roots in European colonialism 1994 began April 6th and lasted 100 days Estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed

Background: Rwanda April 6, 1994: Rwandan Hutu President Habyarimana killed when his plane was shot down Organized Hutus claimed he was killed by the Tutsis and launched a campaign of terror armed with machetes 1/10 of Rwanda’s population died in 10 days in April US hesitated to act/ UN reduced # of troops July-Tutsi led rebel movement RPF captures Rwanda’s capital: Kigali July- 2 million Hutus fled to Zaire, now the DRC

Genocide in former Yugoslavia Location: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1992-1995 200,000 deaths Comprised of three main ethnic groups: Serbs (Orthodox Christians) Croats (Catholics) Muslims Muslims and Croats were massacred by Bosnian Serbs

Background: Bosnia Serbs led by Slobodan Milosevic and Karadzic Bosnian Muslims were put into concentration camps, gunned down and females were raped Serbs referred to their policy as “Ethnic Cleansing” UN was not allowed to intervene, watched atrocities One day in 1993, 8,000 Muslims were executed by Serbs at a UN Safe Haven US led a NATO supported bombing raid Nov. 1, 1995 Peace talks were attended by Milosevic and others

Prevention of Genocide The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was issued in 1948 to protect the “inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family…”