“More than 50 million people were systematically murdered in the past 100 years- the century of mass murder.” “In sheer numbers, these and other killings make the 20 th century the bloodiest period in human history.” National Geo. 2006

What is Genocide?? the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, or cultural group. “Genocide is a process that develops in eight stages that are predictable but not unstoppable. At each stage, preventive measures can stop it.” Wikepedia

All cultures categorize people into "us and them“ Ethnicity Race Religion Nationality 1. CLASSIFICATION:

We name people "Jews" or "Gypsies", or distinguish them by colors or dress; and apply them to members of groups. When combined with hatred, symbols may be forced upon unwilling members of groups Yellow star for Jews under Nazi rule Blue scarf for people from the Eastern Zone in Khmer Rouge Cambodia. 2. SYMBOLIZATION

One group denies the humanity of the other group. Members equated to animals, vermin, insects or diseases. Overcomes the normal human revulsion against murder. 3. DEHUMANIZATION:

Genocide is always organized by the state or by terrorist groups. Special army units or militias are often trained and armed. Plans are made for genocidal killings. 4. ORGANIZATION:

Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast polarizing propaganda. Laws may forbid intermarriage or social interaction. Extremist terrorism targets moderates, intimidating and silencing the center. 5. POLARIZATION:

Victims identified & separated because of ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. Members are forced to wear identifying symbols. Often segregated into ghettoes, forced into concentration camps, or confined to a famine-struck region and starved. 6. PREPARATION:

Extermination begins, and quickly becomes "genocide." “Extermination" to the killers; they do not believe their victims to be fully human. State Sponsored - Armed forces often work with militias to do the killing. Sometimes genocides result in revenge killings 7. EXTERMINATION:

Surest indicator of more genocidal massacres. Perpetrators dig up the mass graves, burn the bodies, cover up evidence & intimidate witnesses. Deny they committed crimes; often blame the victims. Block investigations of crimes, and govern until driven from power 8. DENIAL:

Armenian Genocide ( ) Victim – Armenian population of Ottoman Empire When – During & just after World War I Ottoman authorities arrested 250 Armenian citizens Forced Armenians to march to modern Syria Ignored age & gender Rape & sexual abuse was common Up to 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered

Soviet Union Genocide Multiple instances of unnatural mass death Famines in 1920s & 1930s, & deportation of minorities Soviet efforts removed extermination of political groups from U.N. Convention on Genocide Many Soviet atrocities no longer considered genocide because they targeted political or economic groups