Ethnic Conflicts A look at Rwanda And Bosnia- Herzegovina

Before we start… What is ethnicity? What is ethnicity? –a set of cultural characteristics that distinguishes one group from another Ethnic Group Ethnic Group –People who share a common cultural background and common sense of identity are known as an ethnic group Based on national origin, religion, language, customs, and values Based on national origin, religion, language, customs, and values Exs: Hispanics known to have strong ethnic roots, Jewish community

Ethnic Conflict A war between ethnic groups often because of ethnic nationalism A war between ethnic groups often because of ethnic nationalism Methods of eliminating an ethnic group Methods of eliminating an ethnic group –Genocide –Partition –Integration

The Breakup of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia was formed after WWI Yugoslavia was formed after WWI It had 8 major ethnic groups: It had 8 major ethnic groups: –Serbs, Croats, Muslims, Slovenes, Macedonians, Albanians, Hungarians, and Montenegrins - Long time of mistrust among the various groups

Cont… 2 republics, Slovenia and Croatia, declared independence; in response Slav army invaded both areas 2 republics, Slovenia and Croatia, declared independence; in response Slav army invaded both areas After fighting both republics gained independence After fighting both republics gained independence

Cont… Early 1992 Early 1992 Bosnia-Herzegovina joined the newly freed republics in declaring independence Bosnia-Herzegovina joined the newly freed republics in declaring independence Croats and Muslims supported the spilt-Serbs did not Croats and Muslims supported the spilt-Serbs did not Supported by Serbia, the Bosnian Serbs launched a war in March 1992 against the ethnic groups Ethnic cleansing – policy intended to rid Bosnia of all of its Muslim population Ethnic cleansing – policy intended to rid Bosnia of all of its Muslim population By 1995, Serb military controlled 70% of Bosnia By 1995, Serb military controlled 70% of Bosnia

Peace finally… December 1995 December 1995 –Leaders of the 3 factions involved in war signed a UN and US peace treaty September 1996 September 1996 –Bosnians elected a 3 person presidency; 1 leader from each ethnic group

Rwanda Has a large Hutu majority and a Tutsi minority Has a large Hutu majority and a Tutsi minority Over the years, there has been bitter fighting between the groups Over the years, there has been bitter fighting between the groups Rwanda’s Hutu president was killed in an airplane explosion Rwanda’s Hutu president was killed in an airplane explosion Sparked bloodshed among the 2 ethnic groups Sparked bloodshed among the 2 ethnic groups

Rwanda cont… Govt backed up the media with the launching of a propaganda campaign blaming the Tutsi for killing their president and encouraging the Hutus to take revenge Govt backed up the media with the launching of a propaganda campaign blaming the Tutsi for killing their president and encouraging the Hutus to take revenge UN est 850,000 people were killed (half of Tutsi pop) UN est 850,000 people were killed (half of Tutsi pop)

Methods Genocide of the Tutsi Genocide of the Tutsi Raping and beatings Raping and beatings Many areas of the world were unaware of what was going on Many areas of the world were unaware of what was going on Lasted about 100 days Lasted about 100 days