Rwandan Genocide Facts
How many days did the Rwandan Genocide last?
About 100 days
What was Paul Rusesabagina’s job during the genocide?
Hotel manager
What led to tensions between Hutus and Tutsis?
Colonial divisions and long-standing prejudice
What were the most effective weapons for Paul Rusesabagina?
Words
Why does the Paul tell a story about his friend “Peter”?
To show how ordinary people became killers
Who were the main groups involved in the genocide?
Hutu and Tutsi
How many people did he shelter in his hotel?
1,268 people
How did the “illusion of safety” at the Technical School lead to tragedy?
False hope brought people together for an easy target
How did propaganda spread hate and violence?
Radio incited citizens to kill
According to Paul, what is the only thing that saved the refugees in his hotel?
Words he used to persuade and negotiate
Approximately how many people were killed?
800,000 to 1,000,000
What items did he use to persuade the militia?
Beer, cognac, money, and conversation
What symbolic gesture did the UN make at the start of the genocide?
Left four unarmed soldiers at the hotel
What “code language” was used on the radio?
“Cut the tall trees. Clean your neighborhood.”
Who were the targets of this genocide?
Tutsis and moderate Hutus
Which event triggered the start of the genocide?
Assassination of the Hutu president
Why did his position as a Hutu help him survive?
Gave a certain protection (though it wasn't much)
What does Paul call Rwanda’s biggest failure?
Failure of words and international response
How did words contribute to both life and death during the genocide?
Words could save or kill
What role did the international community play during the genocide?
Failed to intervene
What role did colonial history play in the genocide?
Deepened ethnic divisions
What does Paul say actually saved people in his hotel?
Words (his negotiation and persuasion)
Why is the genocide described as a “perfect storm”?
Multiple disasters and failures all happened at once
Why does Paul not consider his actions extraordinary?
Because he did what he thought any ordinary person would do
What claim does Paul make about what “an ordinary man would do” in crisis?
Anyone should do what is right, even when afraid