Hutu Extremism In The Rwanda Genocide

This research project looks at the years leading up to, and during, the Rwandan Genocide; explicitly between the dates of 1890 and 1994. Its intention is to qualify the argument that Hutu extremism was the primary cause of the mass killings that occurred between the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups. This will lead into the investigation of alternate theories of what may have been factors in instigating the violence that occurred. To fully understand the scope of the argument I shall explore the foundation of Hutu and Tutsi relationships as well as investigate the international context of Rwanda in years leading up to 1994.

Beginning in the 1890's animosity grew between two ethnic groups within Rwanda. The Tutsi minority and the Hutu majority.

From the discussion above it appears to be the contribution of a number of factors that lead to the Genocidal event. In light of this however, it can be said that Hutu extremism did largely influence the extent of the violence that was reached during the one hundred day massacre. The propaganda that was spread by extremist Hutu leaders was causal in developing a nationwide Hutu frenzy. Their hatred for the Tutsi population may have been conditioned over many years by various factors, however actualizing the event was owed to the mindset of the Hutus that began the killing and that organized the necessary supplies. Without this action and Hutu extremism the population would have remained divided and hostile, however it is unlikely that their malevolence would have been realized into action. In addition, it is also to a great extent due to Hutu extremism that the violence during the genocide progressed to the extent that it did. Colonialist influence provided the basis for the conflict and enabled the Hutus to take action. Agricultural competition added to the tense relationship between the two races. However extremism led to the indoctrination of the population and compelled them to act. Therefore I have reached the conclusion, with careful consideration of all of the source material, that Hutu extremism could not have been the main contributing factor to the occurrence of the Rwandan Genocide. I have rather concluded that it was a succession of various social, economic and physical conditions that debilitated the relationship between the Hutu and the Tutsi and that lead to the appalling event that is so widely known