April 4

Class Announcement

• Take Home Assignment: Questions will be posted next week and discussed in class on Monday.
• Timeline: Work period from noon on the 11th to 22nd (10 days total).
• Citation Guidance: Include citations while writing based on lectures and readings.

Rwanda's Uniqueness:

• Method of Destruction: Rwanda's genocide involved direct killing through application of force, creating a unique situation with the state orchestrating the violence.
• High Rate of Killing: Approximately 800,000 to 1 million people were killed in about 100 days, marking an unprecedented rate of extermination.
• Civic Involvement: Ordinary citizens were compelled to participate in the genocide, introducing coercion and complicity among the population.

Geographical Context:

• Location: Rwanda is geographically small but densely populated, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, and the DRC.
• Cultural Relationships: Hutus, Tutsis, and Twa lived closely together, sharing agricultural practices despite the eventual division driven by colonial rule.

Colonial Impact:

• Formation of Ethnic Identities: The categories of Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa were emphasized and distorted during colonial rule by Germans and Belgians, fostering divisions.
• Economic Structures: Hutus were predominantly farmers, while Tutsis were involved in cattle herding, but identities were fluid pre-colonially.

Ethnic Composition Pre-Colonial Era:

• Population Dynamics: Hutus (approx. 82%) vs Tutsis (approx. 15%).
• Social Structure: The royalty (Tutsi) held power through hereditary systems, with Hutus serving under various chiefs until disruptions from colonial powers.

Tutsi Monarchy History:

• Timeline: Tutsi monarchy existed from the 15th century until 1962.
• Hierarchy: The monarchy structure resembled European feudal hierarchies with the Umwami (king) at the top, followed by courtiers (Tutsis) and local chiefs (including Hutus).

Disruptions due to Colonial Rule:

• Power Consolidation: In the mid-19th century, a Tutsi king centralized power and marginalized Hutu authority, leading to resentment.
• German and Belgian Influence: Arrival of Germans and later Belgians solidified Tutsi dominance and enforced racial hierarchy, which entrenched divisions.

Racial Theory Application:

• Anthropological Misinterpretations: Europeans categorized Hutus and Tutsis based on perceived physical differences, often asserting irreconcilable racial differences.
• Identity Cards Introduction: In 1931, Belgians enforced ID cards based on ethnicity, critical for identifying one’s group during the genocide.

Economic Changes:

• Hutu Socioeconomic Rise: Despite educational limitations, Hutus eventually gained economic power, leading to increased demands for political representation.
• Religious Structures: Catholic Church played a significant role in social mobility but mirrored sectarian divides.

Implications of Colonialism:

• Long-term Resentments: Polarization between Tutsis and Hutus was intensified by colonial policies, resulting in social fragmentation and preconditions for future violence.

Genocide Context:

• Factors for Participation: Economic and social integration between Hutus and Tutsis influenced differing responses to the genocide, with tightly-knit communities resistant to violence against neighbors while others succumbed to anti-Tutsi sentiments.

Post-War Analysis:

• Impact of WWI: Post-world war encounter led to power shifts and ongoing colonial conflicts.

Key Takeaways: Understanding Rwanda's historical context is essential in analyzing the genocide and the interwoven struggles of ethnic identity, societal roles, and colonial influence.