Between April and June 1994, the war between the Hutu and Tutsi struck the East African country of Rwanda. To call this a tragedy would be an understatement given the estimated deaths of one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus in the space of one hundred days. The genocide resulted from the desire to control and gain power in Rwanda and stemmed from a history of cultural and social class conflict between rival groups. This bloodshed turned out to be one of the most horrific events in history. The Tutsi people had joined the Rwandan population during the 1300s. Before the colonial era, Tutsis generally occupied the highest status in the social system and Hutus the lowest status. However, mobility in the social hierarchy was possible, Hutu who obtained wealth or a large number of livestock, around ten or more, could be incorporated into the Tutsi group and an impoverished Tutsi was classified as a Hutu. In 1890, Rwanda became part of the Tutsi group. German East Africa. During the First World War, the former colonial power lost possession of Rwanda and the territory was then placed under Belgian domination. In 1957, during the great wave of decolonization, tensions increased in Rwanda. The Hutu political movement, whose goal was to obtain a majority government, was gaining momentum while the Tutsi people resisted the act of democratization and the loss of their privileges and power. In November 1959, a violent incident sparked a Hutu uprising in which hundreds of Tutsis were killed and thousands forced to flee to neighboring countries. This marked the beginning of the “Hutu Peasant Revolution” which lasted until 1961. The Revolution symbolized the end of the Tutsi regime and domination. In 1962, Rwanda gained its independence. A new cy...... middle of paper ...... population lives below the poverty line, the country strives to rebuild its economy, with coffee and tea production among its main sources currencies.Bibliography  BBC News. General information/Historical background http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/1288230.stm http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14093322This site is a reliable source of information as it is recognized as a global information source. is a museum-owned website used for educational purposes.• United Nations. General Information/Historical Background http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/education/rwandagenocide.shtmlThis site is a reliable source as it is owned by the United Nations.