Rwandan Genocide (apr 7, 1994 – jul 8, 1994)
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When Rwanda, located in central Africa, became a colony of Belgium, the Belgians left the Tutsi in power. The Tutsi were the wealthy minority of the nation, believed to have more European features. This, of course, infuriated the Hutu, and they demanded power. When the Rwandan President Habyarimana agreed to have the Hutu and Tutsi share power, extremist Hutus decided they were not willing to share. This led to the formation of the Interhawme, using a radio station called RTLM to promote their beliefs. On April 6, 1994, the president's plane was shot down, and the Tutsi became the immediate scapegoats. However, it was probably a Hutu who commit this crime, but the Hutu needed a reason to give the "signal." Once it had been announced to "cut the tall trees," the Tutsi were tracked down in their homes and beaten to death, along with any moderate Hutu. The UN stuck around in attempt to aid the Tutsi, but when ten UN Belgian soldiers were murdered, the UN troops retreated. Only 100 days later, the Tutsi defeated the Interhamwe, but over 800,000, or 75% of the Tutsi population lay dead.
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Major Genocides Since the 20th Century
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