American Imperialism In Rwanda

Rwanda: The Multi-Nationalist Country

Pre-Colonial Rwanda wasn’t an ethnically divided country as Rwanda is perceived today. Prior to the colonization of the Europeans, the Rwandan people lived in a land of economic differences rather than an ethnic difference dividing them (Revntiens 62). To be considered Tutsi you had to own ten or more cattle and any less than ten you were considered Hutu or Twa. The Tutsi people were well suited for this economic hierarchy since many scholars now perceive the Tutsi coming from a different geographical area that was based on agriculture and cattle. This made the Tutsi the dominant social group in Rwanda (Clark 75). As the Europeans started to colonize Rwanda, the major changes that have made

The highly favored Tutsi elites were recognized as having more similar characteristics to the European people, for instance, their lighter skin complexion, taller stature, and thinner noses made them better suited to govern Rwanda. This was the beginning of the ethnic differences between the Tutsi and Hutu people. During the colonization period, the Tutsi and Hutu were set up against each other politically based on the premise of their ethnicity’s (Clark 80). This caused a lot of tension since the Tutsi were favored by the Europeans and with the help of the Catholic church, the Tutsi were trained and educated so that they could continue to regain their high social status in Rwanda (Clark 79). This favoritism of the Tutsi people destroyed the country and started the base of a dual nationalist country that has come to form (Revntiens 64). The true development of the Rwanda multi nationalism’s came towards the end of the Belgian colonial

Upon leaving Rwanda the Germans and Belgians agreed upon a Hutu elite and set them in charge of the Country. The differences, both economically and politically, between the Hutu and Tutsi gave each group the motive to gain power and protect their respected groups, the start of their ethnic national differences (Clark 80). The establishment of the Hutu elites started the Hutu nationalist movement. Once the Hutu’s were in charge with the help of the Hutu peasants the Hutu people finally had a sense of dominance in Rwanda and wanted to keep their high status above the Tutsi people. During the rule of the first Rwandan president, Grégoire Kayibanda a Hutu, the Tutsi people were subjected to many different Hutu laws. In 1957 a doctrine called the Bahutu Manifesto was issued (Clark 82). This promoted the Hutu interest throughout the country and also stated not to rid themselves of their ethnic labels, this was a way for them to benefit their own Hutu people throughout the country. (Clark 82). Two years after the Bahutu manifesto was issued in resentment to the current power of the Hutu people the Tutsi organized the beating of the Hutu Sub-chief (Clark 83). On November 1st, 1959 near Kabgayi Tutsi political