The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
Primary 6 · Social and Religious Studies
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
Lesson 2 of 5
25 min
Let's begin
A grass fire can start by accident. But suppose someone gathers dry grass for months, buys matches, and waits for a windy day. That fire is no accident. It was planned.
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was planned like that second fire. Today you will learn the signs of planning, and how it was stopped.
Important
This lesson describes how the Genocide against the Tutsi was prepared, without upsetting details. If you need to pause, pause. Talk to an adult you trust.
The Genocide against the Tutsi was led by the interim government, parts of the army and the militias. Local leaders and the radio pushed ordinary people to take part. Tutsi were targeted everywhere, even in churches and schools where they had gone to seek safety.
A small United Nations peacekeeping force was in Rwanda, but most of its soldiers were withdrawn after the killing began. Leaders of the United Nations later admitted that the world failed Rwanda.
The RPF Inkotanyi fought to stop the killing and to rescue as many people as it could. It defeated the forces that were carrying out the genocide. On 4 July 1994 it took Kigali, and by the middle of July the genocide had been stopped across the country.
Even in those dark days, some Rwandans risked their own lives to hide and protect Tutsi. Rwanda honours such people. They show that every person can choose to do what is right, even when others do wrong.
Worked example
Was it planned or sudden?
Step 1 List the evidence: years of hate propaganda, trained militias, weapons handed out, lists of names.
Step 2 Look at the timing: roadblocks within hours of 6 April.
Step 3 Conclude: this was planned in advance. It was not a sudden outburst.
Tip
Words came first
Hate speech came before the lists, and the lists came before the killing. So the best place to stop genocide is at the words. Never repeat words that divide people.
Answer each one, then tap Show answer to check.
Name three signs that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was planned.
Answer: any three of: hate propaganda, trained militias such as the Interahamwe, weapons handed out, lists of names, roadblocks set up within hours.
Who stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi?
Answer: the RPF Inkotanyi.
What did the United Nations do when the killing began?
Answer: most of its small peacekeeping force was withdrawn. The UN later admitted the world failed Rwanda.
What do the people who hid and protected Tutsi teach us?
Answer: that every person can choose to do right, even when others do wrong.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was a sudden outburst that nobody had prepared.
