Ana Rodriguez

World History
Harrison Delfin
November 3, 2013

Colonialism: Rwandan Genocide
The genocide in Rwanda was a direct result of colonialism. After World War 1,
Belgian colonists further divided Rwandas unified population into three distinct groups:
Hutu, Tutsi, Twa (GRP 2). For example, after Belgium gained control of Rwanda in World
War 1, Belgium wanted to strengthen their control. The solution for the Belgian colonists
was to divide Rwanda in three distinct groups. They thought that this would help them
strengthen their control because the colonists thought it was easier to control the
Rwandans in separate groups than if they were unified. As time went by, Colonists
believed that the Tutsi were natural rulers, so they put only Tutsis into positions of authority
and discriminated against Hutus and Twa (GRP 2). According to the colonist they believed
Tutsi were natural rulers because they are more white looking. As a result of this, Tutsi
discriminated against Hutus and Twas. Belgium gave all the authority to Tutsis and denied
education to the Hutus. Tutsis began to feel resentment. They demanded independence
and the colonist felt they were going to be overthrown so they gave favor to the Hutus. After
the Tutsi lost their power,In 1994 Hutu officials began preparation to carry out a massive
genocide of the Tutsi minority (GRP 5). Belgian colonists thought that by giving Hutus
power they could remain in control. As time went by in 1994, violence got built between the
Tutsis and Hutus. Hutus overthrew Tutsi rule and started to plan a war between them. In the
preparation of Hutu officials they trained militias, distributed lists of people who were
targeted and killed, they sent messages of hate over the radio. In the night that the
Rwandan President Habyarimana was killed thats when the killings of the Hutus and Tutsi
started. They killed millions of people during that war. Hutus created a Genocide. In
conclusion, the Genocide in Rwanda was definitely a direct result of colonialism. As a
result of colonialism in Rwanda, the efficiently run country became three different groups:
the Tutsi,Hutus, and Twas.The colonization by Belgium lead the Hutus and Tutsis to a war
in which neither group would become victorious. This is a great example in where it proves
that colonialism can affect the way people live. Trying to take control over others may not
always result in a positive way and can lead to something as bad as the Rwandan
Genocide . Sometimes taking control over anything and trying to make a group of people
feel like they are more than others, can cause an aggression so bad the only solution is
death.