Collective Responsibility & the International Community in the Rwandan Genocide: “The Blame Game”

Abstract

This lesson looks at various international organizations and sovereign states and their action or inaction during the Rwandan Genocide. Students, in groups, analyze primary and secondary source documents and determine what, if any, responsibility or blame should be assigned to the various parties. This lesson is geared for advanced level high school students and adult learners. It also can act as a learning tool for teachers who may not have significant background on the Rwandan Genocide. The author has successfully used fewer documents that were modified for students in middle school. Teachers are encouraged to do the same to make things accessible to their specific students and circumstances.