American Colonialism In Rwanda

The up rise of racist ideologies under European colonialism in Rwanda served as a precursor to the Rwandan genocide. Colonial ideals persisted even after Rwanda was free from colonial rule. Racial division and the marginalization of the Hutu were the remnants of decolonization. Prior to colonization, classifications that distinguished the Hutu from the Tutsi were primarily based on occupation and differences in working and social class rather than by racial differences. The margins that separated the working and social classes were quite flexible and both the Tutsi and the Hutu were able to change occupation and move up or down the social ladder. In addition, the Tutsi and the Hutu commonly interacted, intermarried and even shared the same culture. …show more content…
Physical differences including stature and facial characteristics served as a basis for ethnic categorization. The European preference for tall, narrow-featured individuals made the Tutsi the preferred race. The establishment of the Tutsi as the superior race inevitably resulted in the creation of colonial policies that favored the Tutsi and discriminated against the Hutu. The flexible margins had now become rigid and invariable; the Hutu were denied access to education and were unable to obtain positions of power or authority. The racist ideologies and ethnic boundaries set in place under European colonialism lead to increased tensions between the Tutsi and the Hutu. Rather than alleviating tensions between the two groups, the separateness between the two groups persisted even after decolonization in Rwanda. The growing hate and resentment that had sprouted under colonial rule only continued to grow and eventually led to the Rwandan