Genocide Webquest

Genocide is a term used to describe violence against members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group with the intent to destroy the entire group. The word came into general usage only after World War II, when the full extent of the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime against European Jews during that conflict became known. In 1948, the United Nations declared genocide to be an international crime; the term would later be applied to the horrific acts of violence committed during conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and in the African country of Rwanda in the 1990s. (http://www.history.com/topics/what-is-genocide) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT-9xNQvQuw

Your groups will select one of the following Genocides below to research facts, images, videos, and articles: 

• Holocaust
• Bosnia
• Rwanda
• Guatemala
• Cambodia 

The information you collect will be compiled and used in a Socratic Seminar; be sure you note details, information, and connections to the 10 Stages of Genocide. Use the graphic organizer to collect your data.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C6t68_l3CSfaA2aR7A6LAliJLaNMewoQ6JoZHUO97oc/edit?usp=sharing

Activity #1 - Examples of Genocide

Choose one genocide to explore: 

The Holocaust: https://www.ushmm.org/learn

Identify the location, time period, and central conflict of the genocide.

Analyze

• What was the nature of European anti-semitism, and why did it arise? In what ways did the Nazi political party help to promote anti-semitism against the Jewish people?
• What factors contributed to Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933? What are some of the key points in the Nazi Political Party - what did they believe? How did Hitler gain so many followers so quickly?
• What were some of the various strategies employed by the Nazis to destroy the Jews of Europe? Why was the decision made to switch from up-close executions to murder by cyanide gas?
• Why did the Nazis establish their network of death camps in Poland and not in Germany?

Bosnia: http://www.history.com/topics/bosnian-genocide 

Identify the location, time period, and central conflict of the genocide.

Analyze:

• What are the historical origins of the Yugoslav state? What occurred in Yugoslavia during World War Two, and how did it factor in the outbreak of mass violence in the 1990s?
• What role did nationalist leaders play in the late 1980s and early 1990s?
• What were some of the key factors that contributed to the Bosnian genocide?
• What happened at Srebrenica in July 1995, and why?
• What were some of the resolutions of this genocide?

Rwanda: https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/rwandan-genocide-facts 

• Who are the Hutus and who are the Tutsis? Is it accurate to talk about "ancient tribal hatreds" between these two groups?
• What were the demographic, environmental, and economic factors that may have contributed to the genocide, including Belgian colonialism?
• What was the essence of the "Hutu Power" ideology advanced by extremists within the Rwandan regime?
• Discuss the role of ordinary Hutus in perpetrating the Rwandan holocaust.
• What have been some of the resolutions of this genocide? 

Guatemala: http://combatgenocide.org/?page_id=158 

Identify the location, time period, and central conflict of the genocide.

Analyze:

• What was the initial cause, or incident, the led to the genocide?
• Which groups were involved, both as victim and aggressor - describe each group.
• What was the duration, and death toll of the genocide?
• How did the aggressors feel about their role? How were survivors affected?
• How did the international community respond to the genocide?

Cambodia: http://endgenocide.org/learn/past-genocides/the-cambodian-genocide/ 

Use the graphic organizer to answer the following questions: 

• What was the impact of the massive US bombing campaign against Cambodia in bringing the Khmer Rouge to power?
• What were the main features of Khmer Rouge ideology? Who were the principal targets of the regime?
• What is "urbicide," and what role did it play in the Cambodian genocide?
• What were the major mechanisms by which Cambodians were murdered between 1975 and 1979?
• How successful has the post-genocide quest for justice been in Cambodia?

Activity #2: The Ten Stages of Genocide

Research and summarize key ideas and details by exploring the following site:

https://tolerance.tavaana.org/en/content/ten-stages-genocide 

In your own words, fill in the graphic organizer with details from each stage of genocide. 

Then, explain how the genocide your group is exploring fits these stages. 

Activity #3: World Genocides in Contemporary Society 

Explore the following site: http://genocidewatch.net/ 

and use the interactive map to explore another genocides around the world. Choose one, and explain the connection to the historical genocide your group explored. 

Discuss the following: 

• How pervasive is genocide in human history? What are the practical obstacles to understanding this aspect of our past?
• What is narcissism, and what role does it play in genocide? Do you think it is legitimate to talk of "collective pathological narcissism"?
• What is greed? What are some examples of genocides fuelled by greed?
• Discuss the difference between "mortal terror" and "existential dread." How do they contribute to genocide? What is the phenomenon of psychological projection?
• Why is humiliation such a central factor in genocide? Can you think of examples where humiliation has fuelled anger or rage in your own life?

Conclusions 

Using the websites you've explored, your notes, and your experiences, discuss the following:

• What lessons, if any, about human nature have we learned through the research of genocides throughout the world. 
• What can ordinary people do to help raise awareness about the genocides occurring today?
• Provide at least one site where ordinary people like us can get more information about raising awareness or helping a country solve these issues.