Global Studies
Africa and Arab Spring
5. Rwandan Genocide
Objective
Students will assess the non-response of western democracies in the Rwandan genocide.
Activities
Warm-Up: Read aloud as a class the poem Invictus by British poet William Ernest Henley. Discuss the message of the poem and how this inspires Nelson Mandela while he was in prison on Robben Island. Despite all the injustices and abuses committed against him as his people, he emerged from prison ready to forget yesterday and focus on tomorrow. Emphasize the power of Mandela’s legacy of forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity. His leadership provides a sharp contrast to those during the conflict in Rwanda.
Rwandan Genocide: Explain that after gaining independence from Belgium in 1959, the Hutus were given power in Rwanda. However, the Hutus (85% of the population) blamed the Tutsis (14%) for the social, economic, and political problems of the country. When the Hutu president was killed in 1994 after signing a peace deal with the Tutsi rebels, the Hutu government ordered the genocide of the Tutsi “cockroaches.” Within 100 days, 1 million Tutsis were butchered with machetes as the West did nothing to stop the genocide.
Hotel Rwanda: Explain that the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda tells the amazing true story of how Paul Rusesabagina saved over 1,200 Tutsi refugees in the Hotel des Milles Collines during the Rwandan genocide. We will watch only a segment from this movie (15:26-56:50).As they watch, encourage students to try to understand why the West did nothing to stop the genocide. After the watching the movie, explain to the class that Paul saved every one of the 1,200 Tutsi refugees in his hotel; not one was beaten or killed. They escaped to a refugee camp and he moved to Belgium with his family and two orphaned nieces. Encourage students to watch the rest of the film outside of class.
Student Reaction:Emphasize that the story of the Rwandan genocide went unnoticed in the West. Have students write a ½-page response to explain why western democracies did nothing to stop the Rwandan genocide. Were they justified in not intervening?
Assignment
Write a ½-page responseto explain why western democracies did nothing to stop the Rwandan genocide. Were they justified in not intervening?