The Rwandan Genocide

The Rwandan Genocide was a terrible event in Africa's history that decimated many minorities in Rwanda. The Hutu killed 800,000 people of minority in Rwanda, including Tutsi and Pygmy people in 100 days, and if it was scaled to the length of time the Holocaust took place, the casualties would be more than 34 million people killed. Citizens were told to gather arms and fight against their neighbor, and many obeyed.
Before the war
By the 1990’s Rwanda was one of Africa’s most populous countries, despite having a small land mass. 85 percent of the population was Hutu, the other 15 percent consisted of mostly Tutsi, along with a small number of Twa, and a group of Pygmies that originally populated Rwanda. (History.com Staff)
After World War I, Rwanda joined the League of Nations mandate of Belgium, along with their close neighbor, Burundi. During Rwanda’s colonial period, the Belgian people preferred the Tutsi people over the Hutu. The Tutsi enjoyed 20 years of better jobs and more educational opportunities.
This caused anger among the Hutu people and led to many riots in the year 1959. More than 20,000 Tutsi were killed and many more fled to countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi.
The beginning
The Genocide began when the plane that the president of Rwanda, who was a Hutu, was riding in was shot down. This happened on April 6th, 1994. When the presidential guard heard this they immediately began exacting revenge in any way they could. They killed leaders of the opposing politicians, along with Tutsi and moderate Hutu people being killed. (BBC Staff)
In just a short time, recruits were sent all over the country to start an onslaught of murder. Early recruits consisted mostly of military officials, politicians, and busin...

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