Rwanda Genocide Stages

The Interahamwe begin to enlist other extremists to their cause, "recruiting" children, sometimes by kidnapping

• Extermination

• Polarization

• Dehumanization

• Organization

Answer explanation

Genocide is a group crime, and perpetrators try to build their numbers to gain the upper hand.

"Ethnicity" is first noted on ID cards by Belgian colonials in 1933

• Persecution

• Polarization

• Preparation

• Symbolization

Answer explanation

Rwandans had to carry around ID cards that officially identified them by ethnicity.

After the Hutus win power, they begin to exclude Tutsis from positions of power and prominent careers

• Persecution

• Denial

• Dehumanization

• Discrimination

Answer explanation

The Hutus used their political power to deny Tutsis rights.

Hutus follow their local leaders' instructions to murder their Tutsi neighbors. Entire families were killed at a time, often with machetes.

• Denial

• Extermination

• Persecution

• Preparation

Answer explanation

Hundreds of thousands of Hutus participated in the genocide in cities, towns, and even the tiniest villages.

"Death lists" are drawn, Tutsis are forced from their homes, raped, sent to death camps, and Tutsi property is stolen.

• Persecution

• Dehumanization

• Symboliation

• Organization

Answer explanation

The Hutus singled out the Tutsis and moderate Hutus they wanted to kill and rounded them up for killing.

Belgians promote racism by saying Tutsis are more similar to Europeans, and therefore superior

• Organization

• Extermination

• Classification

• Symbolization

Answer explanation

The Belgians officially established differences between Hutu and Tutsi ethnicities

The Rwandan ambassador to the UN Security Council labeled the violence a "civil war" instead of a genocide

• Denial

• Organization

• Polarization

• Classification

Answer explanation

Only 41 people were ever convicted. Almost everyone else who participated in the slaughter of Tutsis faced no consequences.

Elites armed the Interahamwe with 500,000 machetes and trained them to "protect their villages" by killing all Tutsis

• Preparation

• Dehumanization

• Extermination

• Polarization

Answer explanation

Though the Interahamwe were driven out of Rwanda, the group still exists in neighboring countries.

Hutu radio stations broadcast anti-Tutsi propaganda, encourage extremists, and target moderates

• Discrimination

• Polarization

• Persecution

• Denial

Answer explanation

The “Hutu Ten Commandments" were often broadcasted, condemning those who even mildly associate with Tutsis.

Politicians, radio stations, newspapers, and the public start referring to the Tutsis as "cockroaches" ("inyenzi")

• Organization

• Preparation

• Dehumanization

• Symbolization