Post-independence Rwanda
Primary 6 · Social and Religious Studies
Post-independence Rwanda
Lesson 1 of 5
25 min
Let's begin
Gatete's grandfather keeps an old identity card in a tin box. On it is a word that labels which "ethnic group" he belonged to.
"Your identity card will never carry a word like that," Grandfather says. "Let me tell you why."
To understand Rwanda after independence, you first need to know how colonial rule divided Rwandans.
For centuries, Rwanda was a kingdom. The king, called the Mwami, ruled through chiefs in charge of cattle, land and the army.
Rwandans spoke one language, Kinyarwanda. They shared one culture, the same clans and the same beliefs, and they lived side by side on the same hills.
In 1899 Rwanda became a German colony, part of German East Africa. The Germans ruled through the Mwami and his chiefs. This is called indirect rule.
During the First World War, Belgian soldiers took Rwanda from the Germans in 1916. From 1919, Belgium ruled Rwanda on behalf of the League of Nations, and after the Second World War on behalf of the United Nations.
These divisions were planted by colonial rule. Later leaders chose to make them deeper instead of healing them.
From 1959, Tutsi were targeted. Thousands were killed, homes were burned, and many Tutsi were forced into exile in neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and Congo. The monarchy was ended and Rwanda became a republic.
Rwanda became independent on 1 July 1962. "Post-independence Rwanda" means Rwanda after that date.
Tip
Three rulers, three dates
1899: the Germans. 1916: the Belgians. 1962: Rwandans rule themselves.
And remember: the label on the card was a colonial invention used to divide one people.
Answer each one, then tap Show answer to check.
Which European country ruled Rwanda first?
Answer: Germany, from 1899.
What did the Belgian identity cards of the 1930s add that divided Rwandans?
Answer: an ethnic label (Hutu, Tutsi or Twa) on every card.
What does "divide and rule" mean?
Answer: keeping power by setting groups of people against each other so they do not unite.
On what date did Rwanda become independent?
Answer: 1 July 1962.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
Put these events in order, from the earliest to the latest.
Tap the cards in the right order.
