Encounter and Colonialism Colonial Influence in Rwanda First Exploration: Rwanda was first surveyed by Europeans in the year 1885. The very first man of European origin to set foot in the land of Rwanda was an explorer named Oscar Baumann. The maps he made of the region were of the utmost importance to Europeans in later years. Pictured left is one of his maps that returned after his expedition. Right, Oscar Baumann at the approximate time he explored that region. Berlin Conference: Rwanda, in the Berlin conference in 1884, was part of a land known as Ruanda-Urundi. It was decided then that Germany would take control of the area. In 1894 another exploration of the area by a German explorer known as Gustav Adolf von Götzen began. Right, a portrait of Götzen. German Rule: Götzen was later appointed governor of this region because of his extensive knowledge of the land, people, and customs there. Under his rule and the rule of the following German rulers, the superiority of the Tutsis was supported by the European government. World War I: In 1916, the Belgians defeated German forces and took control over the area still known as Ruanda-Urundi. Belgium began a very in depth involvement with the country in 1919 when the League of Nations decided that the land was to be governed by Belgium completely. The true modernization of Rwanda began at this time. Belgium invested heavily in education, infrastructure, and agriculture. It taught new farming techniques, leading to a rapid increase in population and advancement. Belgium can be considered very helpful in teaching Rwanda to build roads and to use farming techniques which helped it to become one of the more modern African nations. Belgian Rule: The class system denoting the higher class of Tutsi over Hutu was maintained. In 1935, it became mandatory for people to have identification cards stating whether they are Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa(1% of the population. consisting of the descendants of the Pygmies who were originally native to the land). Rebel Groups: After World War II, a couple rebel groups began to emerge. One consisted of the high upper-class Tutsi who advocated independence. The other was a Hutu group who aimed to abolish the class separation between Hutu and Tutsi. Belgium switched their favored group from Tutsi to Hutu. This sudden change in favoritism led to rising tension and anger between both Hutu and Tutsi. The modern issues of Rwanda began around the year 1950 when tensions began to rise and eventually lead to a revolt spiraling the country into the perilous path it would then follow down.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 10:18:15 +0000
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