1. Notes: Rwanda

2. Geography Rwanda is a landlocked country It is located in eastern Africa Most densely populated country in Africa

3. Religion(approx.) 75% Christian 25% traditional religions 1-2% Muslim

4. 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.

5. 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 Originally, People could go from being a Hutu to being a Tutsi (or vice versa) by simply changing their occupation.

6. History of Rwanda

7. 1890 Rwanda is colonized by Germany

8. 1919 Belgium begins to rule Rwanda

9. 1919-1962 During these 40 yrs, the Belgians created a strict class system. Tutsis became upper classthey were given better education, better jobs, and power in govt Hutus were not treated as well as the Tutsis This caused feelings of resentment

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

11. 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

12. 1990-93 Tensions between Hutus and Tutsis continue to flare up

13. 1993 Rwandas president (a Hutu) agrees to share some government power with Tutsis Hutus begin rioting in protest

14. April, 1994 Rwandas president is killed when his plane is shot down Violence immediately erupts in the capital city of Kigali

15. April-July, 1994 A planned attack Lists of Names Radio Broadcast

16. April-July 1994 An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus are killed in approx. 100 days. Weapon of choice=machete Genocide or Civil War???

17. To Review….

18. HUTUS The majority The peasant masses Started revolution

19. TUTSIS The minority Represented the aristocratic upper class Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF)

20. BELGIUM 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.

21. UNITED STATES The most powerful country in the world Often helps out countries in crisis Part of the UN- thus agreed to follow the 1948 document that called for the prevention of Genocide.

22. Role of the United Nations……