Genocide In The 20th Century - Essay Example

Genocide in the 20th Century Genocide in the 20th Century Genocide is a dehumanizing act of terror that leads to mass killings and destruction (Abimbola & Dominic, 2013). In the 20th century, genocides were propagated by extreme nationalist movements in pursuit of national liberation. Most movements were politically motivated by people who wanted to liberate themselves from oppressive and exploitative regimes. With the aim of establishing self-sufficient systems, ethnic groups rose against each other. The result was a heighten level of ethnically motivated brutality (Levinger, 2008). The Turkish massacre of Armenians was the first genocide of the 20th century (Kasymov, 2012). During this time, two million Armenians were eliminated through mass killings and deportations. The genocide escalated through political and religious nationalist movements. Armenians began settling in Turkey from as early as the 16th century. By the end of the 19th century, they had invaded and occupied most parts of Turkey (Kasymov, 2012). During this time, they began fighting for economic and political reforms. First, they began pressing for the establishment of a constitutional government (Kasymov, 2012). They also fought for voting right based on their high population. Sultan Abdul Hamid, who was the leader of Ottoman Empire at that time, responded to Armenian’s demands by prosecuting them. As a result, over 100,000 Armenians were killed (Kasymov, 2012). In the year 1908, Ottoman Empire had declined and disintegrated to the extent that Turks were compelled to join the fight for reforms. The struggle was led by a nationalist group known as ‘Young Turks’ comprising of officers who worked in the Turkish army. Within no time, this group had developed into a political movement. Together with Armenians they fought for the same agenda (ANI, 2015). They began holding public rallies with banners passing the message of justice, freedom, and equality. Through a coup, three Young Turks took over the government in 1913. They began exerting dictatorial powers over the people with the aim of uniting Turkic people through a new empire with one religion and language. Having won many followers, Young Turks began expanding their territory eastwards of Turkey. However, they met some resistance in this area since it was dominated by Christian Armenians. It is then that the second extreme nationalist movement evolved. This group comprised of anti-Armenian Islamic extremists who began fighting against Christians who were resisting the influence of Young Turks (Kasymov, 2012). More than 30,000 people were killed on the Mediterranean coast, as a result. Young Turks on the other hand began viewing Armenians as total strangers. The situation was worsened by the existence of cultural differences between the two ethnic groups. Armenians were more educated and economically successful than Turks. Turks were illiterate people who ran small shops and peasant farms based on the fact that the Ottoman Empire had no value for education. This change of attitude towards Armenians eventually led to the genocide. The rise of religiously and politically inspired extreme nationalist movements was responsible for the hostility encountered by Armenians (Kasymov, 2012). Young Turks are seen to rise from a mere group of workers seeking reforms to an influential nationalist movement with the ability to make political decisions. Although Armenian nationalist groups and resistance movements were formed through political parties, they did not challenge the oppressive structures that existed. Their movements were disorganized and lacked strong leadership. They pursued their goals through diplomatic and non-violent means. For instance, they sought foreign protection against Turks (ANI, 2015). Germany also had a similar experience. Through the leadership of the Nazi rule, six million Jews were eliminated (Campbell, 2009). Led by their leader Adolf Hitler, physically and mentally disabled people were also killed. Violence escalated as a result of the Nazi belief that Germans were racially superior to Jews (Campbell, 2009). They also targeted other groups of people who were deemed to be inferior. Homosexuals for instance were killed due to Germans’ perception that they did not match the required social norms. German police officers targeted political opponents which included communists, socialists, and religious groups. Following the Soviet Union’s invasion in 1941, German police officials carried out more murders (Butcher, 2013). The rise of Nazism as an extreme nationalist movement gained prominence despite the fact that it promoted discrimination and racism. The movement held campaigns of incitement that led to terror, abuse, and violence. It is only until 1945 that German forces surrendered to allies who were in the process of liberating prisoners. The Nazi movement was embraced largely because their ideology was shared and accepted by thousands of people. Hitler’s ideas attracted and united many Germans (Campbell, 2009). It started having extreme characteristics after it rose to Nazi culture. The main agenda of this culture was to promote nationalism although it adopted totalitarian aspects. Hitler insisted on the need for people to identify themselves with their nation. As a result, Nazism developed a belief that people should be deeply faithful, loyal and devoted to their nations. As result, Nazism began to exhibit destructive attributes all in the name of devotion. The once healthy political body began to abuse the fundamental rights of citizens (Butcher, 2013). Another genocide that was perpetrated by extreme nationalist movements was the ethnic cleansing experienced in former Yugoslavia which is now Bosnia. In the 1995 event, over 100,000 people lost their lives. This genocide saw the rise of nationalist, ethnic and religious extreme movements. Yugoslavia was made of three ethnic groups namely; Slovenes, Serbs, and Croats (Krkljes, 2014). Of all the three, Serbs had the largest population. They joined to form one state after the end of the First World War. Their aim of uniting was to protect themselves from foreign empires, obtain security and gain human rights. However, many people were dissatisfied with the formation of the new state (Krkljes, 2014). The differences in religious and cultural background among the three groups eventually led to political separations. Croatians insisted on a federalist state (Krkljes, 2014). On the other hand, both Croatians and Slovenians were against the idea of Serbian domination in military and government affairs. With the rise of tension, nationalist political parties began to form. Majority of Bosnia’s population is made up of Bosnian Muslims (Krkljes, 2014). During the Second World War, the country was held together under the leadership of Josip Broz also known as “Tito”. Under his socialist/communist dictatorship, he ensured there was a peaceful existence. He banned any form of political mobilization that was ethnically driven. Towards the end of the 1980s, however, Yugoslavia’s economic debts rose to unsustainable levels hence awakening tension. When Tito died in 1980, peace that had existed during his reign was no more. Milosevic and Tudjman stepped in. Slobodan represented Serbia while Franjo represented Croatia (Krkljes, 2014). In 1987, Slobodan took over power (Krkljes, 2014). Through propaganda campaign, he awakened hatred among Yugoslavians which eventually broke into war (Krkljes, 2014). All ethnic groups in the region formed political movements with the aim of fighting for independence. Many people were killed in the process of these groups fighting against each other. Serbian forces formed an active political and military movement which took over several cities that were dominated by Bosnia. On the other hand, Bosniaks and Croatians combined forces to form one movement. They declared war and carried out campaigns against Serbs which eventually causing more people to become refugees. Similar to the other genocides, once peaceful groups are transformed into extreme nationalist movements (Krkljes, 2014). The final genocide occurred in Rwanda. This one also involved ethnic cleansing. Participants of the genocide were three ethnic groups namely; Twa, Tutsi, and Hutu. Hutu’s were the majority of the population (Abimbola & Dominic, 2013). The government by then was experiencing political pressures. As a result, Hutu formed an extremist group consisting of political elites. They held responsible the Tutsi for the political, social and economic problems that the country was experiencing (Abimbola & Dominic, 2013). Tutsi’s were also accused of forming and supporting rebel groups that were Tutsi-dominated. Through propaganda formulated by the president and his group, divisions between the two ethnic groups increased (Abimbola & Dominic, 2013). The president at the time was Habyarimana a Hutu (Abimbola & Dominic, 2013). Violence erupted when militiamen shot down a plane carrying him. Due to this, Hutu extremists formed a movement with the aim of destroying the Tutsi population. Many of them were killed as they tried to flee. Over 800,000 people perished. The formation of extremist movements during this genocide is influenced by the urge of elites to maintain power. This movement leads the majority to reign over the minority (UHRC, 2015). A situation that is viewed as mere ethnic division is transformed into a genocide by the movement. They use the power that they attain through mass support to execute the massacre. In most cases, genocide is foreseen although people ignore these signs. Most extreme movement and parties usually begin by supporting ideologies that do not adhere to democratic and human right requirements. What usually follows is a war which transforms to mass killings. Although individual countries are responsible for organizing and executing genocides, other governments are to blame because they fail to stop killing campaigns. For instance, in the case of Rwanda, policy makers in Belgium as well as the United Nations and France were aware that Tutsi were a target for elimination. However, these foreign actors declined to use their political authority to stop the genocide (UHRC, 2015). After the 20th century, extremist movements and parties that pose a significant threat are those which encourage racism or xenophobia. Even though they may not be violent, it is essential to take legal responses. The only way to deprive extreme movements of the support they enjoy is by addressing economic and social problems such as insecurity, immigration, and unemployment. It is also important to note that extremist movements usually have international networks and support that enables them to function. It is, therefore, important to increase co-operation between all states. References Abimbola, T. O., & Dominic, D. N. (2013). The 1994 Rwanda Conflict: Genocide or War? International Journal on World Peace, xxx (3), 31-54. Armenian National Institute (ANI). (2015). Young Turks and the Armenian Genocide. Washington, DC: Armenian National Institute. Retrieved from http://www.armenian-genocide.org/young_turks.html. Butcher, T. (2013). A ‘Synchronized Attack’: On Raphael Lemkin’s Holistic Conception of Genocide. Journal of Genocide Research, 15 (3), 253–271. Campbell, B. (2009). Genocide as Social Control. Sociological Theory, 27 (2), 150-172. Kasymov, S. (2012). The example of the Armenian genocide and the role of the millet system in its execution. Krkljes, S. (2014). Bosnian Genocide. William Mitchelle College of Law. Retrieved from http://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/bosnian-genocide. Levinger, M. (2008). Genocide: Lessons from the 20th Century. Washington, DC: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Retrieved from http://www.ushmm.org/confront-genocide/speakers-and-events/all-speakers-and-events/genocide-lessons-from-the-20th-century. United Human Rights Council (UHRC). (2015). Genocide in Rwanda. Belmount: United Human Rights Council. Retrieved from http://www.unitedhumanrights.org/genocide/genocide_in_rwanda.htm. Read More