The Begining

                Long have the Rwandan people suffered at the hands of social violence, injustice, and degradation. The infamous tension between the two groups the Tutsi, and the Hutu, recently ignited with such a terrifying intensity that any who strayed near were scorched. Though predating the nation’s era of European overlords, the famed internal conflict was undoubtedly intensified under German, and then Belgian rule. German and Belgian rule was not substantial in any way other than that it forever hardened the lines between the Tutsi and Hutu.

                Germany was granted the lands that are present day Rwanda and Burundi in the Berlin Conference of 1885(1). However, up until this time, no European had set foot in Rwanda as it was largely isolated and had minimal interaction with outside factions.(2) At this time the nation was ruled by a Tutsi hierarchy led by the Mwami, or king. Tutsi in the region were essentially similar to medieval lords, for they had the power, land, and cattle in their control. The Hutu were essentially serfs, working the land in exchange for protection. (3) When the German’s came, Rwanda put up little resistance. German’s ruled indirectly through the existing Mwami, and other than conquering rebel Hutu chiefs did very little of importance. However, the Germans considered the Tutsi “whiter” and thusly superior to their Hutu counterparts.  When Rwanda Burundi fell under Belgian control, the escalating resentment between the Hutu and Tutsi just continued rising.

                In 1923 the League of Nations (now UN) created Rwanda-Burundi as a league mandate to be ruled by Belgium. (4) After World War II the mandate was replaced by a UN trusteeship, but the land still remained in Belgian possession. Other than end the rule, as well as tradition of the Mwami, Belgians kept the status quo of Rwandan society. The Tutsi remained dominant in affairs of social as well as economic matters. Belgians forced and watched over the planting and harvesting of new crops such as coffee, thereby allowing for an agricultural production increase. Also, they improved the infrastructure of the nation, channeling money and resources into the building of roads, schools, hospitals, and government buildings. (5) When the mandate changed to a trusteeship, the Belgians were required to integrate the Rwandans into the political process, leading to limited government representation.(6) Though originally dominated by the Tutsi, in the 1950’s the Hutu were encouraged by the Belgians to become involved in government, which led to a swift shift of power. With this new power, as well as apathy for continued Tutsi dominance, the Hutu began to call for change, with passion perhaps too extreme.

                Although Belgians improved the roads and tried to educate the people, the colonization process in Rwanda destabilized an already complicated social system. The Europeans favored the Tutsi and gave them power and control, more so than they already had. Then when the resentment stemming from the Hutu had grown intense, seeming almost planned, the Europeans switched their favor. The Hutu were quickly given a means to control their country, and strike back at those whom for so long had been the idols of their hatred, the Tutsi.