South African and Rwandan History Quiz

The systematic killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.

Traditional Rwandan courts set up after the genocide to try those accused of crimes.

A system of racial segregation and discrimination practiced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.

People from a foreign country who are seen as a threat to national security during a time of war or conflict.

Organizations that are not part of any government and often focus on humanitarian or charitable work.

Financial aid provided by one country or organization to another country.

The total value of goods and services produced by a country's residents and businesses, both domestically and internationally.

Before European colonization, Rwanda was inhabited by two main groups: the Hutu and the Tutsi. Tutsis were traditionally seen as holding positions of power, while Hutus were laborers.

During the Scramble for Africa, Germany colonized Rwanda and reinforced the existing social hierarchy, favoring the Tutsis and appointing them to key positions.

After WWII, Belgium granted independence to Rwanda, but tensions between Hutus and Tutsis erupted into a civil war. When Hutus gained control, many Tutsis fled, leading to lasting animosity.

The Rwandan Genocide was a period of mass violence that took place in Rwanda from April to July 1994 during which members of the Tutsi minority were slaughtered by Hutu extremists.

The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) was a rebel group made up of mainly Tutsi refugees that fought to end the Rwandan genocide.

The RPF forces seized the capital of Rwanda, Kigali, ending the Rwandan Genocide in mid-July of 1994.

The aftermath of the Rwandan genocide saw the displacement of millions of Hutu refugees who fled to neighboring countries, primarily Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), out of fear of retaliation from the Tutsi population.

The First Congo War was a major conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that started in 1996. This war was sparked in part from the Rwandan Genocide with the goal of finding and destroying the Hutu rebel groups that had fled into the DRC.

The Gacaca courts were established in 2001 to try low-level officials and ordinary people who participated in the Rwandan genocide, aiming for community reconciliation and justice.

An international organization that works to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

An international treaty signed by 164 countries that bans the production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.

A type of loan given to individuals who are typically excluded from traditional banking systems, often for very small amounts.

An organization that works to provide financial services to individuals in developing countries.

A situation where the distribution of income is uneven, leading to a large gap between the wealthy and the poor.

Financial assistance provided by one country to another to help with economic development, humanitarian aid, or other needs.

The South African Township where 15 000 to 20 000 black high school students protested for better education on June 16, 1976. This protest was against the apartheid government's policy of teaching children in Afrikaans, a language seen as a symbol of white dominance.

The ratio of black to white South Africans at the time when apartheid laws were passed.

The main export of Rwanda which was greatly affected by the genocide and subsequently rebuilt with international help.

The laws passed in South Africa by the apartheid government to ensure that whites held political and economic power, which included barring black people from voting.

A quote by Chinua Achebe reflecting on the historical narratives that are often biased toward the victor. It speaks to the importance of acknowledging different perspectives and histories.

The initial colonization of South Africa by the Dutch, French, Portuguese, and British, which led to the displacement and dispossession of Indigenous peoples.

Refers to the perspective and beliefs that place European culture and history at the center of the world, often leading to the marginalization and misrepresentation of other cultures.

A measure of the total value of goods and services produced by a country in a given year.

The United Nations' suggested percentage of a country's GDI to be allocated to foreign aid.

The state of having very low income and limited access to basic resources like food, water, and healthcare.

A forum within the United Nations dedicated to addressing the issues and promoting the rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

A declaration adopted by the United Nations that recognizes and affirms the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The process of nations expanding their influence and control over other parts of the world, often through colonization or trade.

A situation where a group of people are not represented or included in decision-making processes, particularly in international organizations.

The term used by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to describe the language of the white minority government in South Africa during apartheid, highlighting its role in oppression and control.

A series of protests by black students in Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, against the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools. The event led to the deaths of hundreds of protesters by police fire and sparked international outrage against apartheid.

A movement that started in London in 1959 involving South African exiles who urged the British public to stop buying South African goods to economically cripple the apartheid regime. This international boycott contributed to South Africa's expulsion from the Commonwealth and the Olympics, isolating the country on the global stage.

The South African government's process of dismantling apartheid laws in 1986, gradually introducing equality and fairness. This period ended with the first multiracial elections in 1994 where all South Africans, regardless of race, could vote, leading to the victory of Nelson Mandela.

A commission established by President Nelson Mandela in 1995 to investigate human rights abuses committed during apartheid in South Africa. This process aimed to provide a platform for victims to share their experiences, and for perpetrators to seek amnesty by revealing their role in the crimes.

The Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, who oversaw the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in South Africa. He provided leadership in confronting the country's violent past and promoting reconciliation between victims and perpetrators.

Non-profit organizations dedicated to a variety of causes, such as environmental protection, human rights advocacy, and providing aid around the world. They operate independently from governments and businesses, relying on volunteer work, donations, and sometimes corporate or government sponsorships to achieve their goals.