Important Facts:
-In 1994, Rwanda's population of seven million was composed of three ethnic groups: Hutu (approximately 85%), Tutsi(14%) and Twa (1%).
-Hutu; a "member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population in Rwanda and Burundi. They are traditionally a farming people and were historically dominated by the Tutsi people; the antagonism between the peoples led in 1994 to large-scale ethnic violence, especially in Rwanda."
-Tutsi; "a member of a people forming a minority of the population of Rwanda and Burundi, who formerly dominated the Hutu majority.
-Huts came into power and wiped out the majority of the Tutusi population by the end of the genocide.
-Hutu; a "member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population in Rwanda and Burundi. They are traditionally a farming people and were historically dominated by the Tutsi people; the antagonism between the peoples led in 1994 to large-scale ethnic violence, especially in Rwanda."
-Tutsi; "a member of a people forming a minority of the population of Rwanda and Burundi, who formerly dominated the Hutu majority.
-Huts came into power and wiped out the majority of the Tutusi population by the end of the genocide.
Many events had led up to the horrific mass murdering that took place, but after much research a recurring difference, apparently one so "major" it cause war, was the European features of one group to another, aside from the past some simply looked different. "Beginning on April 6, 1994, Hutus began slaughtering the Tutsis in the African country of Rwanda. As the brutal killings continued, the world stood idly by and just watched the slaughter. Lasting 100 days, the Rwanda genocide left
approximately 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu sympathizers dead ."
"The Rwanda Patriotic Front and the Rwanda governmental intercession began a civil
war that would last more than a decade and leave millions dead from direct
violence, malnutrition, and diseases. It also launched a violent movement of
atrocious sex crimes against women that remains unparalleled." (Frontline,
2004). Within the acts of violence there were many specific ways they chose to kill, a violent and very personal death by machete was number one. Wealthier families were sometimes given the option to pay for a bullet so their death would be quicker, but they were often tortured first no matter what the choice.
The RPF had tried to take over before the genocide in 1990 but they were not
successful until mid July 1994, which put an end to the genocide. The end of the genocide didn't mean an end to continues repercussions it would leave behind on far too many innocent lives. "The genocide dismantled the emotional stability of the country, instilled fear and mistrust among community members, and led to a sudden breakdown in the traditional social organization of the people, exposing many widows and orphans to neglect and isolation." (UNICEF). Now this is where Rwanda is unique to any genocide; after the aftermath those who had been victims were forgiving towards the Hutus, people had lost their children their sanity and chose to move past for the well being of Rwanda. They saw that there was only one true option to keep the healing process going, and that was forgiveness.