Genocides project alex florias

GENOCIDES PROJECT ALEX FLORIAS

Evil succeeds when good does nothing

What is a Genocide?

The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Time Period: 1915 -1916, Ottoman Empire. Campaign against Armenians living in the eastern portion of Anatolia (modern day turkey).

Difficult Living Conditions

• Nationalism started affecting the Turkish mentality. The

Turks placed themselves above everybody else claiming

they were superior. As the Ottoman Empire began to

crumble, however, the Turks became frustrated and began

to have conflicting views with the Armenians. The

conditions in the empire had turned from their former

glorious sate to chaos and failure. Young Turk leaders felt

that the lack of environmental changes was the cause of

their issues. The only source holding the empire up was

their European allies. Around this time, the Ottoman empire

had lost land in both Europe and Africa and the Turks were

embarrassed. The Turks had plans to expand their empire

into a society that was completely Turkish and Muslim.

Sense of Self/Way of Life Threatened

• The Turks feared their empire was falling

because of Christian Armenians. The Armenians

were oblivious to the attacks on their cultural

group. They did nothing to try to stop the Turk’s

harmful reformations that would soon put them

at risk. The Turks were able to impose their

reforms and policies on the people with

complete cooperation.

Us vs. Them Mentality Scapegoats

Identified Target Devalued-

Dehumanized New Ideology

Developed

The Turkish government confiscated all of the

Armenian people's weapons. Turks told the

Armenians that they needed their hunting

weapons to fuel the war efforts. (WWI) The

Armenians were loyal and worked to come up

with as many weapons as they could, striving

to meet the Turk’s ideal quota. The Turkish

government used the large quantity of

weapons to claim that the Armenians were

devising a plan to rebel and the they must take

action to stop the madness. The Turks began

their three stages of extermination (discussed

in the next section) to work towards a Turkish,

Muslim, homogeneous society.

Continuum of Destruction

Steps increase in Violence

Social Morals Lessen Toward Group

Perpetrators Selected

The Turkish Committee of Union Progress, or CUP, came up with a plan to exterminate the Armenians in order to change and expand their empire. What began as simple suppression of the Armenians with high taxes, isolation from the Muslims, and second class citizenship reached entirely new levels. Turks decided to dispose of the defenseless Armenians in three stages to quicken the development of their reformed empire. Stage one included recruiting all men between the ages of 15 and 45 to the army and then killing them in sets ranging from 50-100 innocent men. If the men were not killed they were worked to their death. The second phase included the arresting of prominent political and military leaders in Constantinople, or Istanbul. The leaders were arrested, tortured and executed. Lastly, phase three, was the extermination of elders, women, and even children. The leaders started pogroms and marches that were said to be relocations to camps, but instead ended in death. The innocent Armenians faced rape, starvation, dehydration, kidnappings, and murder by the Kurdish during these “relocation” marches. Some marchers were lucky enough to reach their destination of Syria and Mesopotamia, but were killed upon arrival. Some young children were given to non-Armenian non-Christian families, and older children were forced to convert to Islam.

Cultural Characteristics

Nationalism Respect for Authority Monolithic Culture Ideology

The issues that occurred in the Ottoman Empire where triggered

by nationalism. The Turks agreed upon developing a Muslim,

Turkish empire that excluded the Christian Armenians, a

homogeneous society. The xenophobic nationalists believed the

multi- cultural society had led to the empire’s loss of territory

and near collapse. The Armenians remained unaware of the

genocide and their relocation, they had trust in their Turkish

government. They had no obvious reason to fear the Turks whom

they had lived harmoniously with for some time. They respected

their rule, but the Turks were now against this Christian minority

and believed that their relocation, which turned into

extermination, would turn the empire around into a marvelous

Turkish empire.

Role of Bystanders Public Support/Early

Opposition Other nations Just World Theory

The Turkish government would use the destruction of

WWI to exterminate the Armenian race without the

intrusion of foreign defenders. The allies did not

intrude on the genocide and the Turkish government

got away with their treacherous actions. Any

foreigners who did witness the genocide did nothing

to stop the massacre. Great Britain, France, Russia,

and the US became aware of the genocide but did

little to stop the cruelty. They simply "commanded"

the Turks to stop the killing and made efforts to save

the starving people, but not nearly enough to save

the population. America was the first to know and

took the most action raising money and working

towards a resolution, but nothing truly took flight.

Talat Pasa, a Turkish leader stated when the German

Ambassador persistently complained about the

genocide, "with a smile…What on earth do you want?

The question is settled. There are no more

Armenians.”

Leadership and Followers Leaders with Extreme Views Leaders speak to Core

Values of Society Followers Buy In

The tragic genocide was headed by young Turks of

various groups. They came together as one because of

their desire for modernization and reform. Three key

leaders were Jemal Pasa, Enver Pasa, and Talat Pasa.

Jemal Pasa was a military commander, Enver Pasa was

a skilled military leader, and Talat Pasa was

a telegraphist and member of the CUP who worked in

planning movements. The three men were responsible

during the time of Ottomanization by separating the

Armenians from the Ottomans and coming up with

ways to easily dissolve the group.

Jemal followed by Enver and then Talat

"The Ottoman Empire should be cleansed of the Armenians... We have destroyed the former by the sword, we shall destroy the latter through starvation." -- Enver Pasha, May 1916

State Power? Execution by the State Power Influences Socialization Elevate individual Actions

It was the Turkish government that headed the mass extermination. The Turkish leaders envisioned a homogeneous society and abused their power in doing so. They oppressed the entire Armenian race, taking away their rights, and making them second class to all Turks. The alienation was solely the government's responsibility, but they refused to accept the reality. They claim that the genocide was simply an action taken by the government for protection.

"You are greatly mistaken. We have this country absolutely under our control. I have no desire to shift the blame onto our underlings and I am entirely willing to accept the responsibility myself for everything that has taken place." Enver Pasa

Results There were around 600,000 to 1.5 million deaths. This number

includes both men and women and even children. Not one country was able to stop the cruelty. The Armenians whom had lived in the empire for over 2,000 years were now nearly invisible. The Armenians that survived predominantly converted to the Muslim faith or fled from the empire. Some Armenians fled with Russians who were returning to Russia to fight. Later the battle of Sardarabad, other battles, the collapsing Ottoman Empire, and Turkey's loss in WWI led to the end of the genocide. There was mass destruction of the empire including towns, villages, churches, and schools. Today the Armenian genocide is remembered on April 24th, the day of the arrests in Istanbul. The Armenian Genocide is a perfect example of a genocide, fitting into the definition of a mass killing of a specific group systematically.

UKRAINEOccurring during 1928, 1932-

1933, and 1936-1939 in the Soviet Union, Ukraine.

Difficult Living Conditions War Economic Hardship Feeling Threatened by Violence Rapid Changes in Society Lack of Diversity in Society

(Monolithic)

A leader of this genocide had a vision for an industrialized nation. This man was Stalin who devised a five year plan creating a socialist state free of capitalism, and with a prosperous agricultural industry. Stalin wished for the farmers to produce more food in order for the Soviet Union to focus on an industrial economy. He also wanted to sell grain abroad to raise funds. Under Stalin, grain production increased by 150%, but other food production did not increase as much. Stalin wanted all peasants to farm on state owned farms called collectives. The government would proved tractors, fertilizers, and seed for the peasants to farm using modern techniques. They forced peasants to turn over their farm animals and tools to the collective. The state regulated prices and access to farm supplies.

Sense of Self/Way of Life Threatened Sense of Self and Way Life Threatened Feeling of Frustration

Stalin became frustrated because some peasants did not agree with his collective policies. Many peasants were not in favor of giving up their land and selling their crops at low prices. The peasants killed their farm animals, destroyed tools, and burned crops. Stalin was furious and thought Kulaks, rich farmers, were leading this resistance. This triggered his plans for extermination. Stalin stated, “liquidate the Kulaks as a class.”

Us vs. Them Mentality Scapegoats Identified Target Devalued- Dehumanized New Ideology Developed

Stalin was a totalitarian and wished to gain complete control over the peasants and the working class along with the Soviets. He produced propaganda and used terror as his weapon. Stalin eliminated any opposing ideas, forced Russian culture on all groups, and replaced religion with communists ideology. Stalin made himself appear as god-like. He used propaganda to increase his popularity. Radios, speakers, movie theaters, school, billboards, and posters encouraged his policies to all groups and ages. His new ideas were to be the only ideas recognized by the Soviet population.

“Print is the sharpest and the strongest weapon of our party.” -Stalin

Continuum of Destruction Steps increase in

Violence



Stalin used his weapon of terror on the Kulaks. He wished to teach them a lesson for rebelling against his collective farm policies. He had around 1,000,000 Kulak homes, or 5,000,000 people, deported from the country. These people were never heard back from after their deportation. He imposed collectivization on any and all of the remaining peasants. He used this genocide to prevent independence from occurring. His destruction caused famine along with exterminating anyone who opposed his views. He caused starvation of 7-10 million people. Many military leaders, authors, and government officials would also be killed because of their unique views. Stalin also created Gulags, or brutal working camps, which imprisoned people who did not agree with Stalin. The Great Purge “cemented his control of the government.”

“Cannibalism came later. Fresh corpses were dug up and boiled for stew.” Witness of the effects of Stalin


Nationalism Respect for Authority Monolithic Cultural Ideology

People aware for costs of disloyalty and took this into account. Stalin demanded for a society that followed his beliefs and ideals, thus there would be no possible way for him to lose control. People did not respect Stalin’s authority, although some areas were better off. Stalin’s forced monolithic culture was imposed in every direction. Schools taught his ideas and they were advertised everywhere. The only benefits that came about under Stalin, increasing peoples’ loyalty were, children attending state supported schools, cultural activities, sports, free medical care and daycare, inexpensive housing, public recreation and greater women's rights. There was little room for nationalism for Stalin ruled by purely fear.

Role of Bystanders Public Support/Early Opposition Other nations Just World Theory

People were confused with what was occurring in the Soviet Union and allowed the reforms to unfold. The word of famine in the Soviet Union spread across Europe and to the United States. The US and Europe attempted to ship food supplies to the Ukraine in efforts to help the starving victims. The food shipments were rejected by the authorities and outside help was refused. Journalists were forbidden to enter the Ukraine because the government did not want their crimes to be exposed. The US and Britain took no further action in the genocide because they were more focused on winning the war against Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan, which would also require Stalin’s assistance.

Leadership and Followers Leaders with Extreme Views Leaders speak to Core Values of Society Followers Buy In

Stalin was the mastermind behind the Ukrainian genocide. He was paranoid that someone else would steel his power, and plotted against all people with views that may one day override his. He felt that terror was the only way to get his message across to the people. As previously mentioned, he was a totalitarian seeking complete domination. Stalin not only targeted the Kulaks because of their opposing views on farming, but became so obsessed with power and expanded his policies to differing minded citizens and even high-class officials. He felt that his work was a “revolution from above”, and would transform the Soviet Union into a successful industrial giant. He never gained true followers, only those who joined his campaign in fear of otherwise being killed.

-“Death solves all problems - no man, no problem.” -“Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas.”

-Stalin


The government disposed of people who did not follow Stalin's beliefs. Censorship was increased along with the power of the secret police. This secret police arrested millions of citizens, they cracked down on the Bolsheviks, army heroes, industrial managers, and writers. These people were all accused of plotting against Stalin’s revolution. Stalin reinforced his control of the government through the Great Purge and also called for trials that would force people to confess in his favor. He strengthened his governmental control giving the state more and more power through every act he initiated.

Results“A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.” -

Stalin

Thousands of military leaders were killed or sent off to camps. Millions of Kulaks, ordinary citizens, and other groups faced the same fate. Stalin was responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000,000 people before the time of his own death. Stalin faced no consequences nor regretted his actions. Although this event did not focus on killing a single group of people, it began by targeting the Kulaks and then expanded into all people with opposing ideas. This would be considered a genocide because it was a massive, systematic killing of Soviet citizens because of Stalin’s paranoia.

NANKINGOccurring in Nanking, China in 1937.

Difficult Living Conditions War Economic Hardship Feeling Threatened by Violence Rapid Changes in Society Lack of Diversity in Society

(Monolithic)

Japan and their military was looking to complete their conquest of China. Japan had been modernizing since WWI, their exports were soring, and they were an industrial giant. With the civil war in China, they viewed this as a key time to invade. They planned to take over China in as little as three months. The Great Depression had hurt Japan greatly causing some economic troubles. The economic disasters powered the military and extreme nationalists to take action. Politicians were frustrated with other countries’ demands for Japan to stop expansion, and they were tired of racial discrimination from other countries. The Japanese simply felt restricted. Nationalists demanded for continued expansion and felt taking over China would provide them with raw materials and a region for their growing population. After the Manchurian incident, Japan claimed Manchuria and set up a puppet state. Japan withdrew from the League of Nations so they could pursue their conquests. Japan’s frustration was fueling their desire to take a stand against western powers.

Sense of Self/Way of Life Threatened Sense of Self and Way Life Threatened Feeling of Frustration

Japan felt as though other Western powers were holding them back from reaching their full potential and becoming a dominant Asian power. They were frustrated and tired of feeling threatened. They pursued conquest of China after breaking away from the League of Nations, but were once again irritated by the Chinese troops resistance to their ruling. The Chinese army fought a tough battle during Shanghai, delaying Japan’s plans for a quick conquer. This only made Japan more angry and hungrier for conquest. During their reign of expansion they invaded Nanking.


Japan was looking to take over China in search of resources and more land for their people. The Chinese people stood in their way. As the Japanese army entered Nanking they carried orders to kill all captives. They targeted POW’s, or prisoners of war, who surrendered to the Japanese soldiers. The Japanese saw the POW’s as harmless and scared. They were far better trained than the Chinese and killed all of the POW’s. Along with this initial group they started an extermination of the remaining population. The Japanese truly had no motives to begin the genocide, they were simply doing as they were told. "They [Japanese soldiers] smash open windows and doors and

take whatever they like.... I watched with my own eyes as they looted the café of our German baker Herr Kiessling.... Of the perhaps one thousand disarmed soldiers that we had quartered at the Ministry of Justice, between 400 and 500 were driven from it with their hands tied. We assume they were shot since we later heard several salvos of machine-gun fire. These events have left us frozen with horror.” I witness

Continuum of Destruction Steps increase in Violence

Social Morals Lessen Toward Group Perpetrators Selected

The genocide lasted for a brutal 6 weeks. In December 1937, the Japanese army entered Nanking and murdered 300,000 out of 600,000 civilians and soldiers in the city. After the massacre and torturing of the POWs was finished, the Japanese shifted their focus to the women of Nanking. Women over the age of 70, and young girls under the age of 8 were taken away to be sexually abused. Over 20,000 females faced gang-rapes by Japanese soldiers. After they were brutally raped the Japanese would stab them to death so the genocide would never be heard of. Pregnant women were also raped, and then had their stomachs cut open and the unborn child ripped out. If the Japanese found an entire family in a house, they forced Chinese men to rape their daughters, sons to rape their mothers, and brothers their sisters. The family had to watch in terror and could do nothing to stop the brutality. The soldiers committed many more acts of murder, randomly shooting their guns at crowds, and sporadically killing people. They also raided stores, and burned buildings with people still inside. People who were not killed were forced to dig their own graves along with caring out live burials. The Japanese took pleasure in their acts and sought to teach that the Chinese were lesser human being who did not deserve to live. As time passed the soldiers backed off and focused more on the war.

Li Ke-hen-"There are so many bodies on the street, victims of group rape and murder. They were all stripped naked, their breasts cut off, leaving a terrible dark brown hole; some of them were bayoneted in the abdomen, with their intestines spilling out alongside….”


Nationalism Respect for Authority Monolithic Cultural Ideology

The Japanese army led a nationalist movement envisioning a Japanese dominated Asia. They had no true reason for killing and raping the Chinese people, except the possible threat they could impose on Japan’s path of expansion. The Japanese army respected the authority of their military run government’s demand for them to kill all prisoners. “They reflected a mentality in which the brutal dominance of subjugated or so-called inferior peoples was considered just.”- History Place

"If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it," wrote the committee chairman Rabe in his diary on that day.It has been said that: “...modern nationalist sentiment, xenophobia, and military power combined with the unforgiving code of bushido created a military machine capable of great acts of atrocity such as the “Rape of Nanking” (Michigan Museum of Natural History)


The genocide was broadcasted in Japanese newspapers and even the New York Times. The United States informed their people about the genocide in multiple other forms of the press. The American people were very curious about the violence and could not believe it was true. The Japanese army’s work was too brutal. The Americans did not have much interest in what was occurring in Asia. Politicians in the US and even Britain were more focused on the issues in Europe, Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and creation of the Nazi political group. China was left for the Japanese to continue their devastating actions.

Leadership and Followers Along with State Power?

Leaders with Extreme Views Leaders speak to Core Values of Society Followers Buy In Execution by the State Power Influences Socialization Elevate individual Actions

Hirohito was the emperor of Japan at the time, but his role in the Rape of Nanking is unknown and quite questionable. The ultranationalists looked for military domination and revival of ancient warrior values and building a group that believed in the emperor’s godliness. They spread nationalism through teachings in schools. Ultranationalists believed Japan should have an empire that was equal to the Western powers. Japanese people turned their backs on peace and followed the ways of the military state. Peace was weakness and strength and action were the only method for success. Absolute obedience to the emperor and service to the state was the government’s message.

Results In the end, Japanese soldiers did not face prosecution for the

crimes they committed. 300,000 out of 600,000 citizens were brutally raped, tortured, and murdered. Although the Rape of Nanking was devastating for China, Nanking was not entirely demolished. About 20 Americans and European missionaries, doctors, and businessmen worked towards developing an International Safety Zone. They carved out a 2.5 square-mile territory that was off-limits to the Japanese. These brave Americans and Europeans risked their lives to stop the violence and rapes. These Westerners were heroes to the Chinese. It is estimated that almost 300,000 Chinese people sought protection in the safe zone. I would not consider this a true genocide because they did not deliberately attempt to destroy an entire religious or ethnic group by definition of genocide. There was no genocidal plan, the Chinese were simply in the way of Japanese expansion.

THE HOLOCAUST Occurring from 1939-1945 in Eastern Europe.

Difficult Life Conditions War Economic Hardship Feeling Threatened by Violence Rapid Changes in Society Lack of Diversity in Society (Monolithic)

In 1918 an economic crisis hit Germany and the Nazi Party as Hitler came to power. After WWI Germany was in a venerable state, left with war debt, land losses, and other complications. Germany was not confident with their government structure that had come about during the Weimer Republic. Hitler declared that they were stabbed in the back and not responsible for WWI. They were tired of the limitations imposed on the country during the Treaty of Versailles and ready for change. Also, Anti-Semitism was arising and flowing through society even before Hitler came to power.

“If the international Jewish financiers . . . should again succeed in plunging the nations into a world war the result will be . . . the annihilation of the Jewish race throughout Europe.”-Hitler


Sense of Self and Way Life Threatened Feeling of Frustration

Hitler expressed a strong sentiment of anti-Semitism and the Nazi power directed their anger about the economy towards the Jews. They blamed the Jews for some of their economic misfortune, calling them a potential evil against governmental policies. The Nazis boycotted Jewish businesses as an act of revenge. Hitler saw the Jews as a “poisonous race that fed off the other races” weakening Germany.


The Holocaust genocide was a Nazi plot for the mass destruction of the Jewish people. Other groups were also targeted and dehumanized such as the Slavs, gypsies, homosexuals, the disabled and Poles. Even people who simply spoke against the Nazi party were targeted. Hitler sought out to establish the German identity as a strong Aryan race. The perfect person would have blond hair, blue eyes, and be tall. They used Jewish people as scapegoats for national problems they were facing. To prevent the Jewish population from growing, they stopped the Jews from having children, forcing sterilization. Other groups the party targeted were also sterilized. Hitler took measurements of the ideal Aryan figure and used these to determine the physical value of an individual.



Hitler and his Nazi party established ghettos, or secluded parts of cities for Jews, in Poland, The ghettos led to starvation, sickness, and death. Einsatzgruppen, special task forces, killed Jewish men and later women and children. All Jews were forced to wear the star of David to identify their religion. In September and October of 1941, Hitler called for the final solution, or mass execution of Jews, predominantly by gas chambers. Hitler and the Nazis soon transported the Jews throughout Europe to work camps or even extermination camps. Jews were kidnapped off the streets and put on crowded trains, some people would die before they even reached the camps. At these camps the Jews would be worked to death, given little to no food or water. Other means of death included being gunned down and put in gas chambers. The Jews were told to line up expecting showers, but instead, walked right into their suffocating, gaseous deaths. Escaping was almost impossible. Nearing the end of the Holocaust the Jews were sent on death marches. These marches covered far distances and most were either too weak to survive or murdered along the way. Not many Jews saw the end of the genocide.

Cultural Characteristics Nationalism Respect for Authority Monolithic Cultural Ideology

Hitler and the Nazi party made their beliefs the government’s ideology and spread their messages to the public. Posters, the radio, movies, and newspapers voiced the new laws and ways of thinking for Germans. The Nazis replaced the current materials in schools with those that broadcasted their opinions on racial purity and other ideals. Schools became segregated along with other public places. Material was now censored for content that may go against Hitler and the state. Hitler dreamed of a single party, Aryan state, and people respected his authority, especially as his reign continued.

“All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach.”-Hitler


The United State was hesitant to welcome the few Jews that escaped from Europe into this country. With the Great Depression hurting their economy, the government feared that foreigners would compete for work with the Americans and drain them of their resources needed to support the poor. When an American governmental department first heard about the killings, they failed to pass the message on to their leaders. The Holocaust was spoken about in American news and media, but the severity of the violence was often downgraded. Some sources claim that the US was in denial of the extermination of the Jewish race and killing of other races, explaining why they did not take action until much of the damage had already been done.

Leadership and Followers Leaders with Extreme Views Leaders speak to Core Values of Society Followers Buy In

Hitler was an extreme racist who opposed all other ethnicities except the Aryan race. Hitler was an extremely influential speaker and attracted the German population. He promised to bring back economic strength in Germany and improved ways of life. The Nazi party enforced Hitler’s views and appealed to the unemployed Germans, younger citizens, and members of the middle class. At first, the Germans saw Hitler has their only hope to bring back national strength. Hitler led the Nazi party and Germany through terror, and was determined to turn Germany into a one party state. No one would dare go against Hitler in fear of being killed.“After fifteen years of work I have achieved, as a common German soldier

and merely with my fanatical will-power, the unity of the German nation, and have freed it from the death sentence of Versailles.” -Hitler


Germany, led by the Nazi's, continued to carry out the killing of the “non-superior” ethnic groups, especially the Jews. The Germans took over Poland, Denmark, Norway, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Yugoslavia, Greece, and a portion of Italy in order to further their plans and build more extermination and labor camps. One of the worst extermination camps, Auschwitz, was built in Poland. The state supported the anti-Semitism campaign. As Germany called for the "Final Solution”, they executed the task of eliminating 2/3 of the Jewish population in Europe. Gassings, shootings, random acts of terror, disease, and starvation were state approved forms of killing.

Results 11-17 million people, 6 million being Jews, were killed. Hitler

committed suicide before he was able to be captured by Russia. Many other followers of Hitler and Nazis were “convicted for crimes against humanity” and put in jail. It was the Soviet soldiers who became the first successful people to liberate Hitler’s prisoners. British, Canadian, American, and French troops were also responsible for the liberations. The few survivors would be nursed back to health and reenter a society with scarce minorities. Overall, the Holocaust is undoubtedly a genocide. Hitler focused his extermination plans on races that he felt were not nearly as superior as the Aryans, especially the Jews, and did so in a systematic and planned out method.

CAMBODIAOccurring from 1975-1978 in

Cambodia.

Difficult Living Conditions War Economic Hardship Feeling Threatened by Violence Rapid Changes in Society Lack of Diversity in Society (Monolithic)

After gaining their freedom from France, Cambodia became independent and moved from left to right on the political spectrum. During this time period, a man named Pol Pot led the communist party. The United States invaded Cambodia to force the North Vietnamese from their border encampments, and move deeper into the country. They bombed the North Vietnamese territories and supply routes in the east and killed about 150,000 Cambodians. Peasants fled the countryside and settled in Cambodia's capital. These events led to economic and military destruction in Cambodia, along with a gain in popularity for Pol Pot. When the US left, the government was completely destroyed and Pol Pot seized control of Cambodia.



The Khmer Rouge were frustrated with their current monarchy led by Prince Norodom Sihanouk. The prince was relieved of his duty by Lon Nol who supported the US and not Vietnam. He did not take action against the US’s violence towards the Vietnamese nor the chaos in Cambodia. The people of Cambodia believed the prince was betraying the country’s principles. Innocent Vietnamese people were being killed for no reason what so ever. The Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot would rise to power without force. The reign of the Rouge would begin a new era.


When Pol Pot came to power, he wished to experiment and develop agrarian, agricultural, society much like Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution. He wanted communal farming and to re-educate people in the art of agriculture. People with Western educations, who wore glasses, or spoke a different language were targeted as unfit for his new Cambodia. Renaming Cambodia the Democratic Republic of Kampuchea, he began his reforms. He called this, “Year Zero,” declaring that society was to be “purified”. Capitalism, Western culture, city life, religion, and all foreign influences were dissolved and replaced by high levels of peasant communism.



Cambodia's cities were cleared by force, in Phnom Penh two million citizens were evacuated at gunpoint and led to the countryside. About 20,000 people died along their journey on foot. These people were forced to work as slaves in Pot’s killing fields. They died from overwork, starvation, and disease. The workers lived off of a tin of rice, given to them twice a day. They worked long hours, from 4 in the morning until 10 at night and were given only two breaks. The Khmer Rouge, armed, supervised the workers and were excited when the opportunity to kill someone arose. People worked to produce fruit and rice which the Khmer Rouge collected after production. Killings were initiated to mask the remains of the "old society”. The educated, the wealthy, Buddhist monks, police, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and former government officials all fell as victims to murder. Ex-soldiers and their wives and children along with government officials were also exterminated. If a person was seen questioning their support for Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, they were shot or axed down without hesitation. “I did not join the resistance movement to kill people, to kill

the nation. Look at me now. Am I a savage person? My conscience is clear.”-Pots

“Since he is of no use anymore, there is no gain if he lives and no loss if he dies.”-Pot


Pol Pot changed the culture of Cambodia by having foreigners shipped out, embassies closed, and any foreign economic or medical assistance refused. He banned foreign languages, had newspaper and television stations shut down, radios and bicycles confiscated, and mail and telephone usage reduced and restricted. Money was even banned. Every business was closed up, religious practice was band, education ceased, and parent authority ended. Cambodia was isolated from the surrounding world. Pot wished to re-establish Cambodia’s former state. Many people were unfamiliar with who Pol Pot was and were forced under his authority believing he was a god-like figure.


There were few bystanders during the Cambodian genocide because Pol Pots had killed off most foreigners. Few Americans, Chinese, and Vietnamese knew of the killings but showed no desire to help out or put an end to what was occurring.

Leadership, Followers, and State Power


Led by a Western educated man with intentions to create a society based on agriculture and the ways of the past. He favored the young since they had not yet been corrupted by Western ways. The young worked in the military instead of the slower, older men. The Khmer Rouge followed Pots commands and carried out the killings. Pot wished to reverse imperialism and did so by turning the entire country into a torturous labor camp in fear of losing power.

“I'm quite modest. I don't want to tell people I'm a leader.”-Pots

Results Overall, about 2 million Cambodians were killed, around 25% of

the population. They were eventually defeated by the Vietnamese ending the killings. In July 1997 Pol Pot was tried by the Khmer Rouge and found guilty. He was forced to live out the remainder of his life under house arrest. Pol Pot died on April 15, 1998 of a heart attack. I would consider this a genocide because it specifically targeted a Western influenced race and Western influence in general. It was an attack on imperialism in attempt to erase Western thinking.

RWANDA Occurring in 1994 in Rwanda.


Rwanda was a Belgian colony with two major classes or groups of people, the Tutsi, or upper class, and the Hutu, or lower class. The Hutu class made up the majority of the population. The elite Tutsi class, backed up by the Belgiums, ruled by hatred and fear towards the Hutus. They were power crazy and feared losing their ruling status. The Tutsi’s had better job and educational opportunities than the Hutus.



The Hutus were growing angry against the privileged Tutsis and began to riot in 1959. They felt that they had equal rights to the jobs and opportunities being presented to the upper class. Out of frustration, they began killing many Tutsis and some of the Tutsi population left the country. “All these people who were about

to be killed had land and at times cows. And somebody had to get these lands and those cows after the owners were dead. In a poor and increasingly overpopulated country this was no a negligible incentive.” –Unknown Hutu


Belgium granted Rwanda its freedom in 1962 and the Hutus were in control. In the past years, the Tutsi’s had been considered the scapegoats for all issues. The economy was declining and the president, Habyarimana, was losing his popularity. The Tutsi civilians in Uganda were forming the RPF, or Rwandan Patriotic Front to attack the ruling Hutu government. They wanted to overthrow the president and gain back their ruling rights in Rwanda. In April the president's plane was shot down, presumably by Tutsis. The effect of the killing granted the Hutus a reason to attack the Tutsis.

“We had two French military who helped train the Interahamwe. A lot of other Interahamwe were sent for training in Egypt. The French military taught us how to catch people and tie them. It was at the Affichier Central base in the centre of Kigali. It's where people were tortured. That's where the French military office was... The French also went with us Interahamwe to Mount Kigali, where they gave us training with guns. We didn't know how to use the arms which had been brought from France so the French military were obliged to show us.” –Unknown Hutu



The Hutus began to murder Tutsis and moderate Hutus immediately after the President’s death. The Hutus wanted a payback for the death of their president. An unofficial militia of Hutus, known as the Inerahamwe, or those who fight together, began going house to house killing the moderates and Tutsis. The force was 30,000 strong. Military officials, politicians, and businessmen joined in the killings. Soldiers and police officers wished for citizens to take action and Hutus who killed their Tutsi neighbors earned benefits such as the Tutsi’s land and food. After the murdering of 10 foreign soldiers, the international community and United Nation’s troops left the genocide alone. The Hutu militia carried machetes, clubs, guns, and grenades which they used to sporadically kill the Tutsis.

“Rule number one was to kill. There was no rule number two.”-Unknown Hutu

“All these people who were about to be killed had land and at times cows. And somebody had to get these lands and those cows after the owners were dead. In a poor and increasingly overpopulated country this was no a negligible incentive.” –Unknown Hutu


Rwandan citizens were forced to carry cards that identified their ethnicity. These cards were very important for Hutus offered them protection. The idea for a monolithic society was taking hold amongst the Hutus who finally possessed the power. This respect for authority was not always the case, some Hutus were forced to kill Tutsis, but in these kill or be killed situations the Hutus did as the government requested. The Interahamwe used radio stations to arrange their movements and to alert the other Hutus when a Tutsi was attempting to escape. The Hutus used the phrase join in, “Do your Duty.”

RTML (Radio Télévision des Milles Collines)broadcasted, “cut down the tall trees”, a signal for the Hutus to start killing the Tutsis.


During the genocide, the UN, Church, and the media stood by and did nothing to stop the killing. Although Belgium, France, and the US did everything in their power to get their citizens out of Rwanda, they did nothing for the native population.



Three major Hutu leaders of the genocide included Mathieu Ngirumpaste, Edourd Karemera, and Joseph Nzirorera. Mathieu Ngirumpaste was the president of the Hutu extremists who were responsible for the national revolutionary movements in hopes of promoting democracy and further creation of a Hutu society. Edourd Karemera was the Hutu party’s past vice president and Joseph Nzirorera was the previous secretary-general.

The Hutu state created a genocide with forced and voluntary participation. The number of perpetrators was enormous.

Results 800,000 men, women, and children were killed during the 100

day genocide. This was about ¾ of the entire Tutsi population. Eventually the Tutsi's, under the RPF, captured the capital, Kigali, the Hutu government collapsed, and the RPF called for a ceasefire. As word spread that Tutsis were victorious, the Hutus fled. A multi-ethnic government was set up at first. Rwanda now had a Tutsi run government, but the anger against the Hutus had not ceased. The leaders of the genocide pled not guilty to their horrible crimes. I would consider this a genocide because it specifically targeted one group of people for a single reason. The Hutus deliberately killed the Tutsis whom they felt were threatening their existence.

BOSNIA Occurring from 1922-1995 in Bosnia and

Herzegovina.


After WWII, the Balkan states of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Macedonia were incorporated into the multi-cultural Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavian leader Josip Broz Tito died in 1980 triggering nationalist movements. Tito had been a powerful communist leader who had formed alliances with superpowers such as the US and the Soviet Union, that occasionally provided Bosnia with money and other resources. Without a strong leader, political and economic destruction erupted. After the Soviet Union fell, Yugoslavia truly began to fall apart.


Sense of Self and Way Life Threatened

Feeling of Frustration A Serbian communist named Slobodan Milosevic later rose to power. In these chaotic times, he used nationalism and religious prejudice to establish his presence in Bosnia. He increased the straining relationships between the Serbians and Muslims and spread a rumor that the Muslims were mistreating the other religious minorities. Milosevic provided money and arms in order for the Bosnian Serbs to successfully set up their own government. Bosnia’s independence frustrated Yugoslavia and triggered a Bosnian civil war between Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats.

Us vs. ThemMentality

Scapegoats Identified

Target Devalued- Dehumanized

New Ideology Developed

The United States and Europe began to recognize Bosnia as an independent country in 1992, and Milosevic did not want Bosnia to separate. Bosnia was a predominantly Muslim country with only 32% of the population being Serbs. Milosevic decided to take action and attack Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital city. Milosevic and his army claimed that the Muslims were mistreating the Serbs and they required their protection. Sarajevo was soon known as the location where Serbians shot innocent civilians , even children, in the streets. Bosnian Serbs began a system of “Ethnic Cleansing”, killing people of differing ethnicities and removing them from their homes in order to create a homogeneous society.

Continuum of Destruction

Steps increase in Violence



The Muslims were hopeless as the Yugoslavian army began to gun down the Muslims. The Serbs established their presence and initiated a systematic capturing of Bosnian Muslims. Serbians held “mass shootings”, relocated towns, established Muslim concentration camps, raped women and girls. Muslim mosques and architecture was destroyed.

"Serbs and Muslims are like cats and dogs. They cannot live together in peace. It is impossible.”-Karadzic


Nationalism

Respect for Authority

Monolithic Cultural

Ideology

Milosevic of Serbia and Tudjman of Croatia used public media, transformed T.V. and radio into propaganda fueling aggressive conflicts between the Serbs and Croats and simultaneously devaluing the Muslims. They were censoring media for any support of multi-ethnic harmony. The people in Bosnia were forced to live under these conditions of civil war. The Serbs also targeted intellectuals, professionals, and political leaders in efforts to demolish the Muslim culture in Bosnia. The Muslim population was not in favor of Serbian authority, but were hopeless and could not fight back.

“The Serb cause in the Bosnian war was just and holy”-Karadzic

Role of Bystanders

Public Support/Early Opposition

Other nations

Just World Theory

The world remained unaffected by the genocide. The U.N. put economic restrictions on Serbia and sent their army to protect the Muslims. Although, the UN restricted their troops from getting in the way of the Serbian military. Neutrality was maintained even when conditions worsened. The USA and Europe were other forces that neglected to stop the genocide. The Serbians were free to kill the Muslims. Under President Clinton the US strived to stop the madness, issuing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This requested that Serbians retreat from Sarajevo and they did indeed listen. The US then tried to unify Bosnian Muslims and Croats for protection from the Serbs. The Serbs continued to attack and the alliance did nothing. The Serbs eventually captured U.N. peacekeepers, taking them as prisoners and using them as defensive weapons. The killings and raping continued despite other powers weak, unplanned, and useless efforts.


Leaders with Extreme Views

Leaders speak to Core Values of Society

Followers Buy In

Execution by the State Power

Influences Socialization

Elevate individual Actions

Radovan Karadzic, president of the illegitimate Bosnian Serb Republic, denied that the genocide was occurring. He led the Bosnian Serbs during the war. He believed there was a group of Muslims in Bosnia who dreamed of 100% power and they needed to be stopped. He said, “I will defend that nation of ours and their cause.” He was labeled as an ultranationalist leader of the Bosnian Serbs. He was also a psychiatrist, poet, and writer. Some Serbs believe he was a hero.

Milosevic gained popularity in Serbia. He was a nationalist and became president in 1989. He had a vision of creating a one ethnicity country. Milosevic would ethnically cleanse the Yugoslav Army of non-Serbs which was not popular with minorities. “For as long as multinational communities have existed, their weak point has always been the relations between different nations,” was a motto he followed.

Results

Overall there were around 150,00-200,000 deaths along with 20,000 rapes. In 1994, the genocide came to a close when NATO led air strikes against the Bosnia Serbs, forcing them to stop the murdering. Milosevic was eventually put on trial for his criminal actions and would die from a heart attack in 1990. As for Karadzic, he was arrested and charged with wars crimes. Even in 2010, the Serbians celebrated and felt no remorse for their actions. The Bosnian Serbs honor their leaders and attempted cleansings. He is waiting for his fate to be determined in trial. I would consider this a genocide because it specifically focused on the ethnic cleansing or extermination of Muslims, whom they felt were against their own ethnic group.

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