The Rwandan Genocide Flashcards
What is a genocide
Genocide: The deliberate killing of a large group of people of a
particular nation or ethnic group.
What were the main social groups in Rwanda
Hutu (84%)
Tutsi (15%)
Twa (1%)
What was the backstory behind the Rwandan conflicts
Rwanda had been colonised (controlled) by Europe for a long time (Belgium
until 1962). The main social groups were the Hutu’s, Tutsi’s and Twa’s. The only difference between the groups was that in the past, the Tutsis had had more wealth and power (propaganda). The Belgians had forced Rwandans to hold identity cards to classify them as either Hutu or Tutsi. This widened the divide, resulting in several outbreaks of civil war.
What led up to the Rwandan genocide
In 1990, a Hutu government had been in power when a group
of Tutsis who had been living in exile, invaded. This sparked a civil war.
• Three years later, the government had (reluctantly) agreed to share power with this Tutsi group - so there was a very fragile peace.
• However, some Hutus were not happy about the power sharing so by in 1994, the UN were stationed in Rwanda.
• Their mandate (order) was to ‘Keep the peace’ between the Tutsi and the Hutu.
How and when did the actual Rwandan genoicde start
The genocide began with a plane crash in April 1994 which killed the Hutu president of Rwanda.
Who did people blame the presidents death on
Hutus believe that Tutsi extremists cockroaches 🪳 planned the attack
Why was it so severe across the entire country
Radio broadcasts were telling all Hutus (including ordinary civilians) that they must kill all the Tutsis in Rwanda.
When did it start and end
The genocide took place over the 7 April and 19 July 1994 (over 100 days). More than 800,000 people were killed (mainly Tutsis).
When did it start and end
The genocide took place over the 7 April and 19 July 1994 (over 100 days). More than 800,000 people were killed (mainly Tutsis).
Who were the Tutsi rebels
The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF)
Who were the hutu army that persecuted the Tutsis. (not included in test)
The Interahamwe
Who were the hutu army that persecuted the Tutsis. (not included in test)
The Interahamwe
Who is Paul Rusesabagina
Paul Rusesabagina is best known for saving hundreds of Rwandans during the country’s 1994 genocide by sheltering them in the hotel he managed (1,268 hutu and tutsi refugees sheltered in the Hôtel des Mille Collines👑).
