Genocide Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key terms and concepts related to genocide.

Genocide

From Greek for race or tribe, and Latin meaning killing; A coordinated plan to destroy a national, ethnic, social or religious group.

Raphael Lemkin

Polish legal scholar who devised the term 'genocide'.

Armenian Genocide (1915-1918)

The event that inspired Lemkin to develop the concept of genocide.

Case of Soghomon Tehlirian

The killing of the Turkish Minister of the Interior in 1920 by Soghomon Tehlirian, relevant to the discussion of accountability for genocide.

Madrid Conference

Conference in 1933 where Lemkin attempted to present a law dealing with the destruction of groups and their cultures.

Moscow Declaration

Declaration in 1943 by Britain, U.S., and U.S.S.R. pledging to bring perpetrators of atrocities against civilians to justice.

Nuremberg Trials

Trials of 24 Nazis charged with crimes against peace, crimes against humanity, and violating rules of war.

U.N. Resolution on Genocide

Passed by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1946, condemning genocide and initiating the drafting of a treaty.

Genocide Convention

Passed by the U.N. in December 1948, officially making genocide a crime and obligating signers to prevent, suppress, and punish it.

Senator William Proxmire

Senator who gave a speech to the Senate every day for 17 years to advocate for the ratification of the Genocide Convention.

Classification (Stage of Genocide)

Distinguishing between "us and them" by race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.

Symbolization (Stage of Genocide)

Giving names or symbols to classifications.

Discrimination (Stage of Genocide)

Dominant group uses laws, customs, political power to deny rights.

Dehumanization (Stage of Genocide)

Denying the humanity of another group.

Organization (Stage of Genocide)

Genocides are always organized, usually by the state, often using militias.

Polarization (Stage of Genocide)

Extremists drive the groups apart by using hate propaganda.

Preparation (Stage of Genocide)

Plans are made; euphemisms are used to disguise intent.

Persecution (Stage of Genocide)

Victims identified and separated out; killings begin.

Extermination (Stage of Genocide)

Begins and quickly escalates to mass killings.

Denial (Stage of Genocide)

Always follows a genocide; perpetrators try to destroy evidence and deny the crime.