Stages and Concepts of Genocide

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the nature and sequential stages of genocide.

Stereotype

To believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same.

Prejudice

An unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc., caused by a lack of understanding.

Racism

Poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race.

Genocide

The deliberate, pre-planned (not random) killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political, or cultural group.

Classification

The stage in the path to genocide that involves dividing people into distinct groups based on race, religion, ethnicity, culture, etc.

Symbolization

The stage in the path to genocide where the marginalized group is forced to wear some kind of symbol to identify themselves as part of the group.

Dehumanization

The stage in the path to genocide involving treating the marginalized group like animals instead of people.

Organization

The stage in the path to genocide where the government begins to establish agencies with the express purpose of policing the marginalized group.

Polarization

The stage in the path to genocide where the marginalized group is forcefully separated (segregated) from the rest of society.

Extermination

The stage in the path to genocide defined as committing mass murder.

Denial

An important factor that keeps genocide running.

Stereotype

To believe unfairly that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same.

Prejudice

An unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc., stemming from a lack of understanding.

Racism

Poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race.

Genocide

The deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political, or cultural group, which is pre-planned rather than random.

Classification

The stage in the path to genocide of dividing people into distinct groups based on race, religion, ethnicity, culture, etc.

Symbolization

The stage in the path to genocide of forcing the marginalized group to wear some kind of symbol to identify themselves as part of the group.

Dehumanization

The stage in the path to genocide of treating the marginalized group like animals instead of people.

Organization

The stage in the path to genocide where the government begins to establish agencies with the express purpose of policing the marginalized group.

Polarization

The stage in the path to genocide where the marginalized group is forcefully separated (segregated) from the rest of society.

Extermination

The stage in the path to genocide defined as committing mass murder.

Denial

An important part that keeps genocide running.