GENOCIDE INVESTIGATION

“First they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the labor leaders and I did not speak out because I was not a labor leader. Then they came for the Jews but I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me." - Holocaust concentration camp survivor

For this particular investigation, we will utilize resources from the Peace Pledge Union, adapted from their site. Remember, the purpose of using the Internet in class is to broaden your horizons and allow you to learn more along your particular lines of interest. Be sure to paraphrase when answering the questions, and do not plagiarize.

Take your time when learning about the acts of genocide throughout the 20th century. Keep in mind that this investigation only briefly covers a few examples taken from different locations across the globe - and these only represent a fraction of the genocidal acts during the last century. Genocide has occurred throughout history and, unfortunately, most likely will persist into the future. Never forget when looking at statistics of the victims that each one was a human being (in many cases a woman or child) who's life was cut short - often due to intolerance, narrow-mindedness, selfish ambitions, and ignorance. Also keep in mind that many of the victims are not just those who die, but those who survive and carry with them the scars from their ordeals, whether physical, emotional, or psychological.

Choose THREE case studies (Namibia, Armenia, Ukraine, German-occupied Europe, Cambodia, Guatemala, Bosnia, or Rwanda). For each selection, read "before the genocide", "the genocide", "after the genocide", "witness", and "issues". Research on your own, then answer the following questions for each example of genocide:
[A] Identify and describe the victims.
[B] Identify and describe the perpetrators.
[C] Briefly state the main causes why the genocide occurred (cultural, racial, territorial,...).
[D] Briefly describe some of the events that occurred during and after the genocide.
[E] Reflect on at least TWO examples/events that you did not know about previously, or that you found to be particularly cruel or horrific (e.g., treatment of victims, inhumane acts, scale of violence,...).

* The site used for this investigation comes from the Peace Pledge Union, based in London, England.  Although the presentation of facts and information is quite objective, always keep the author and origin of material in mind when investigating anything.