jan 1, 1917 - Belgium Acquires Rwanda

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Following Germany's loss in World War 1, Belgium was granted authority of Rwanda under a League of Nations mandate. By this time, ethnic tensions had began growing between the Hutus and Tutsis. These tensions were a result of the economic disparities between the two groups.

The Hutu people farmed crops and made up the majority of the population. The Tutsis raised livestock and were the minority group. Cattle had become more valuable than growing crops, so the Tutsis had accumulated more wealth, becoming the local elite over time. Colonial rule from both Germany and Belgium intensified this divide by providing support to the Tutsi ruling monarchy under their "divide and conquer technique". This sense of inferiority amongst the Hutus created a hatred that grew up until the end of the countries colonial rule.

Beauchamp, Zack. “Rwanda’s genocide - what happened, why it happened, and how it still matters”.
Vox, April 10, 2014.
https://www.vox.com/2014/4/10/5590646/rwandan-genocide-anniversary

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