Name ________________________
Imperialism’s Influence on Africa
History of Hutu-Tutsi Relations, WordPress
By the 1850s, Africa was still somewhat free from European intervention. European possessions in Africa
only consisted of a few forts and trading posts along the coast. However, between 1880 – 1910 Africa was
divided up among the Europeans. In some ways, the Scramble for Africa simply seemed to feed on itself.
One nation sought colonies to keep other nations from getting them first or from gaining some other
advantage over their rivals. To avoid conflict with one another over Africa, fourteen European countries met
at the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885 to establish the rules for dividing Africa among themselves. While
this meeting led to peace between most European nations, the effects the Berlin Conference and Imperialism
had on Africa were devastating.
For hundreds of years before Imperialism, the Tutsi (a group of Africans) had ruled over much of Rwanda
successfully. They established a pyramid-style political structure with the head being a king. Hutus (another
group of Africans) who were wealthy enough were accepted as part of the elite along with the Tutsi, while
poorer Hutus lived quite comfortably to themselves, provided they pay a tax to the king. While this society
lacked equality, most groups were able to get along and live in peace.
The 19th century brought with it a factor that increased racial tensions between the Hutus and Tutsis. This
was imperialism or European colonization. The relationship between the Tutsi and the Hutu started to
descend to crude and violent interactions at this point in history, and the arrival of the German colonists in
the late 1800′s served to add to the problem, as they endorsed the Tutsis’ power over the Hutus’. Colonists
saw the Tutsi as more European-like and superior to the Hutus, and the Hutus were forced into more farm
labor. The colonists did a lot to engender (cause) the future tensions between the two races. Their worst
contribution was racial science.
British army officer John Hanning Speke was the creator of the racialist hypothesis known as the “Hamitic
Theory”. In his writings, Speke suggests that the Tutsis are more European than the Hutus. Their Caucasoid
(Caucasian-like) facial features, combined with their smoother personalities were proof enough for him that
they were more cultured than the Hutus. This theory was basis for all racial and cultural division between the
Hutu and Tutsi in later years. It made specific definition as to how one race was superior to the other,
therefore giving said superior race much power and influence. It was also partially based around the concept
of Social Darwinism or Survival of the Fittest – meaning that only the most advanced and strongest races
should survive and prosper. Hitler and the Nazis will also use racial science and racism during the 1930s and
1940s to exterminate Jews, Slavs, and others groups of people they deemed as subhuman.
The final step that Belgium and other European countries took was implementing coffee production in
Rwanda. Peasant farmers, for the large part Hutus, were obligated to grow coffee beans on their land on
punishment of death from Tutsi officials who had to follow European orders. For example, many Hutu
farmers were subjected to a standard 10 lashes daily, before work, so as to remind them to maintain a solid
work ethic. Essentially, the Hutu were an oppressed race, facing cruelty from Tutsi elite, who were
manipulated by the European colonists.
While the politics of Rwanda was undergoing radical change in the 1900s, Belgian Colonel, G. Logiest,
organized a large group Hutus and killed thousands of Tutsis and forced the exile of hundreds of thousands
others. With a Hutu led government in place, after hundreds of years of Tutsi rule, the roles reversed. Tutsi
killings continue and rise during the 1970s as the new Hutu government removes them from positions of
power or prestige. The chaos and killings would continue and increase into the 1990s. Most people know of
this period of events as the Rwanda Genocide where approximately 800,000 Tutsi people were killed.
Name __________________
Imperialism’s Influence on Africa Questions
Directions: Answer the following questions using the reading on Imperialism’s Influence on Africa.
1. ____ How did European intervention in Africa change from 1850s to 1910?
A. European intervention decreased
C. European intervention remained the same
B. European intervention expanded
D. European intervention became more peaceful
2. ____ African society in Rwanda before European contact could best be described as…
A. Very wealthy and democratic
C. peaceful and unequal
B. industrialized and unequal
D. very wealthy and religious
3. ____ Why did the Europeans favor the Tutsi people over the Hutu?
A. they saw the Tutsi as racially superior
C. they saw the Tutsi as more religious
B. they saw the Tutsi as more hostile
D. they saw the Tutsi as more cooperative
4. ____ As European countries began to think about taking over Africa, many European governments
worried that this could lead to competition and possibly war between European countries. What did they do
to stay away from war?
A. Scramble for Africa
B. Berlin Conference
C. Genocide
D. Social Darwinism
5. ____ The time period from the 1970s – 1990s in Rwanda, could best be described as…
A. stable and peaceful B. democratic and equal
C. chaotic and brutal D. exciting and energetic
Directions: Use your notes and this reading to determine whether each statement is True or False.
6. ____ The goal of the Berlin Conference was to divide Africa between the European countries
7. ____ European Imperialism helped to cause the Rwanda Genocide
8. ____ The Tutsi and Hutu lived as equals in their society before the Europeans came
9. ____ Europeans began to move further in Africa during imperialism for resources
10. ____ Eventually, the roles of the Tutsi and Hutu will be reversed during the 20th century
Directions: Use your notes and this reading to answer the following questions.
11. Describe the role racism played during the time of Imperialism in Africa. (2 or more sentences)
12. Explain how Africa, particularly Rwanda, changed as a result of European Imperialism. (2 or more
sentences)