The Causes and Effects of the Rwandan Genocide

Francesca Rovalino

November 19th, 2018

 Francesca Rovalino
Nov. 19th, 2018
UWRT 1104

Genocide can be defined as the act of mass violence and killing for the intention of

eliminating a targeted culture or racial group that is viewed as inferior. This level of hate

characterized as “racism” stems from a series of events. Initially, a racial divide can be seen

through differences in appearance, wealth, and education. Once a group identifies itself as

superior, it begins to see that the inferior group is not “deserving” of the same standard of life,

and this mentality can then reach extremes which lead to planned genocide. In the case of the

Rwandan genocide, these racial ideals were introduced during the German and Belgian

colonization. The use of identification cards and forms of violence would create a hostile

environment in Rwanda and a divisive relationship between the two major groups of Rwanda,

known as Tutsis and Hutus. Based on the Rwandan genocide, the evidence strongly suggests that

post-colonial Rwanda was in much worse condition than pre-colonial Rwanda.

Pre-colonial Rwanda allowed people to merge between the two groups, without having

any significant differences. Tutsis were only seen as slightly higher in social class because

wealth was determined by cattle and that it what their livelihood depended on. Hutus focused on

growing fruits and vegetables and gathering food. It was possible for people to move between

Tutsi and Hutu through marriage, class, and occupation. In pre-colonial Rwanda, the conflicts

were not nearly as severe as they would become in the 1990s. The major differences started to

become evident at the beginning of World War I, when Belgium was invaded by Germany. The

Belgians then moved east into Africa and the League of Nations granted them a mandate to

administer the colony of Ruanda-Urundi in 1924. This mandate and the colonization of Belgians

would lead to chaos and the death of many people as tensions would continue to grow among the

Tutsis and Hutus.

 Francesca Rovalino
Nov. 19th, 2018
UWRT 1104

The Belgians favored a strict class system, which is why they granted the Tutsis special

privileges, including a higher education and positions where they could enforce Belgian rule,

while Hutus were unable to pursue the same opportunities. Identification cards were introduced

in 1926 to strengthen the distinction between the two groups. The Hutus wanted to regain their

rights and fought for them over the next years through many rebellions and as the majority

group, they were difficult to keep under control. The Hutus managed to organize a coup for

power under General Juvenal Habyarimana in 1973, which resulted in Tutsis being restricted in

terms of employment and positions of power. (Ferran, p.2)

The genocide in Rwanda lasted from April 1994 to July 1994. The three months

consisted of about 800,000 deaths and several cases of rape and abuse.