The Rwandan Genocide of 1994, led to the death of hundreds of thousands of Tutsi people. Genocide, meaning the systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, or ethic group. The massacre’s of the Native Americans may not of been “systematic and planned” but in some ways it could be considered a genocide. These two forms of mass killings are in some ways the same. For instance; the practice of physical mutilations on women, who was armed and who had protection towards the attacks. Like all things, they had differences as well, like, purpose towards the killings of thousands, the length that they were pursued.
“…sexual mutilation of, in particular breasts, vaginas, or buttocks often during or following the rapes…” That’s how most women and children were treated in the time of genocide. “They killed Native Americans regardless of age or sex, often scalping and mutilating the bodies, and even going as far as cutting off their gentiles from their bodies…” Physical mutilation was a big thing in both of these events. Both groups of people, mutilated the other, without remorse, or regret. Their was no “quick,” or “peaceful” form of death at either of the events. They were all full of revenge for one thing, or a strike for power at another. The thought of sexual mutilation left those behind with serious disrespect for those who had caused the mutilation.
Physical mutilation wasn’t the only similarity between these two events. They way they were killed and how many were killed is another similarity. During Rwanda’s mass killings, hundreds of thousands of Tutsi’s were killed, 500,000 was Tutsi’s were quoted to have been murdered. They were killed and murdered in their own villages, and homes. Most of them by their own neighbors. In the Native American massacres, their was over 300 dead or wounded in only one battle, The Battle of Wounded Knee. Even though the size of the dead were smaller, the Rwandan genocide only lasted 100 days.
“Over the course of approximately 100 days, from April 6 through to mid July, at least 500,000 people were killed. Most estimates are of a death toll between 800,000 and 1,000,000.”[1] The Genocide lasted 100 days, but in the course of those 100 days, thousands were murdered. In the Native Americans battles, hundreds of thousands were also murdered, and in almost the same fashion. The Hutu’s weapons consisted of a few AK-47 assault rifles (paperwork required), grenades (no paperwork required) and machetes. The machetes were the most popular form of tools used for the murdering of Tutsi’s. The weapons that the Soldiers had didn’t quite compare to what the Hutu’s had, manly because of the time frame it took place. They had the help of Hotchkiss Cannon- “a revolving barrel machine gun. It was a built-up, rifled, rapid-fire gun of oil-tempered steel. It was designed to be light enough to travel with cavalry, and had an effective range beyond that of rifled small-arms.”[2] The Native Americans had a little more protection then the Tutsi’s. They had their horses, bows and arrows, the Tutsi’s however, weren’t as lucky.
“…propaganda that contributed significantly to fueling sexual violence against Tutsi women, the very public nature of the rapes and the level of brutality towards the women…”[3] Propaganda was another difference between the two events. In the Rwandan murders, the media played a horrific role in spreading the news, and hatred towards what was happening to the Tutsi’s. The Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), was the radio station that broadcasted what was going on during the genocide. “This radio station is widely noted as having played a crucial role in creating the atmosphere of charged racial hostility that allowed the genocide to occur.”[3]
The propaganda that the Native Americans had against them wasn’t as effective as what the Hutu’s had on the Tutsi’s. They didn’t have the education, and sources the Rwandans had in the 1990’s. They had more technology, and more ways of conjuring up what they thought was a righteous reason for what they were trying to accomplish.
The purpose of either genocide, doesn’t excuse anything or make it all right, to what happen to so many people. The reason the soldiers gave for killing thousands, was that they were just following their destiny. Manifest destiny is the religious belief that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic Seaboard; to the Pacific Ocean. They were trying to justify their murderous tendencies with this statement. The significant start for Hutu power arose when in 1993 of October, the Hutu President Melchior Ndadaye, was killed.
“What’s important, is to remember there was a genocide. There was an attempt to eliminate Tutsi’s- men, women, and children- and to erase any memory of their existence.” There was no significant reason for the murdering of thousands.”[4] The are so many more ways these two events are similar, and then again, there are so many ways in which they are different. But the only true similarity, is that thousands of innocent people, met death simply because of who they were.
[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide
[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotchkiss_gun
[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide#War_rape
[4]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/rwandan_genocide
Monday, September 1, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Identifies--all
Marco Polo: An italian who was an adventurer and merchant from Venice. He spent twenty years traveling through China and central Asia.
The Columbian Exchange: The exchange of goods across the Atlantic Ocean. Different foods got introduced to new parts of the world. European nations gained wealth and power off of the Americans metal and other resources. Agriculture products from the Americans improved nutrition around the world. The Columbian Exchange was very important and transformed the world.
Hernando Cortez: Also known as Hernan Cortes was a professional soldier in Spain. He gathered troops and fought Indians on the Mexican coast in 1519. He was a conquistador whcih means a spanish conqueror. He conquered the Aztecs and controlled all of central Mexico.
Pueblo Revolt in 1680: When the Pueblo Indians got fed up with Spanish demands and taxes they drove the Spanish out of Sante Fe and then had a series of attacks on them.
Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494: Spain and Portugal drew a "line" that separated the world. Territory that was explored west of the line would belong to Spain and east of the line would belong to Portugal.
African Diaspora during the 1500's through 1800's: Portugal’s result in major economic activity from slave trade and they were resettled to the Americans. It is estimated that 10 million or more Africans were shipped to the Americas.
Magna Carta: A charter the English nobles made Kings John limiting the power of the monarch.
Anasizi; between 800 and 1100 A.D: A Native American group who began to make multistory rock and adobe dwellings. They are the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians.
Mestizos: They are below the Spaniards in the Spanish America social class. They could work at the highest positions in the Spanish society but were msotly artisans, estate supervisors, traders or shopkeepers.
Tenochtitlan: Located on an island in Lake Texcoco. Founded 1325 and was defeated in 1521
Ibn Battuta: Moroccan traveler. He covered 75,000 miles of the Muslim world in the 1300's.
Zheng He: Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, and fleet admiral. Early 1400's.
Spanish Inquisition in 1478: Was established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in the Kingdom under control of the Spanish Monarchy.
Tomas de Torquemada 1400's: Spanish Dominican, first inquisitor general of Spain. He was a confessor to Isabella of Spain.
John Cabot: 1497- seafarer, saild along the coasts of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New England.
Giovanni Verranzano: 1524 Claimed the Americas for the french, however failed at it the first attempt.
Jacques Cartier: 1534 explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River and Canada.
Jamestown, 1607: First settlers "fair meddowes, and goodly tall trees, with fresh waters running through the woods.
Wahunsonacook: Skilied in agriculture and fishing, leaders over the Powhatans.
Powhatan: Local Indians- large confederation of some 30 small tribes under the leadership of the Wahunsonacook.
Ferdinand Magellan: Portuguese manner sponsered by the Spanish Crown, explored the land west of the line of Demarcation.
John Rolfe: 1614 English protestants who wished to "purify" the Angelican church of all Catholic rituals and traditions.
Mayflower Compact: established a self-governing colony based on the majority rule of male church members.
The Great Migration: 1630 some 60,000 people left England for the America's 10,000-20,000 settled in Mass.
Toleration Acts: 1649 Maryland colonial law, that garunteed religious freedom to all Christians.
Bacons Rebellion: 1676 uprising by Virginia settlers, disgruntled over taxes and land, that includes attacking Indians, looting wealthy plantations and burning Jamestown.
Mercantilism: Economic Policy based on the view that a nation's power depended on maintaining a favorable balance of trade exporting > importating.
Navigation Acts: Series of laws designed to increase English merchants profits' by limiting direct trade between English colonies and other European nations.
Iroquois League: Confederation of Indian tribes formed in the 15th century and 16th century: allso called the 6th nation
The Columbian Exchange: The exchange of goods across the Atlantic Ocean. Different foods got introduced to new parts of the world. European nations gained wealth and power off of the Americans metal and other resources. Agriculture products from the Americans improved nutrition around the world. The Columbian Exchange was very important and transformed the world.
Hernando Cortez: Also known as Hernan Cortes was a professional soldier in Spain. He gathered troops and fought Indians on the Mexican coast in 1519. He was a conquistador whcih means a spanish conqueror. He conquered the Aztecs and controlled all of central Mexico.
Pueblo Revolt in 1680: When the Pueblo Indians got fed up with Spanish demands and taxes they drove the Spanish out of Sante Fe and then had a series of attacks on them.
Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494: Spain and Portugal drew a "line" that separated the world. Territory that was explored west of the line would belong to Spain and east of the line would belong to Portugal.
African Diaspora during the 1500's through 1800's: Portugal’s result in major economic activity from slave trade and they were resettled to the Americans. It is estimated that 10 million or more Africans were shipped to the Americas.
Magna Carta: A charter the English nobles made Kings John limiting the power of the monarch.
Anasizi; between 800 and 1100 A.D: A Native American group who began to make multistory rock and adobe dwellings. They are the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians.
Mestizos: They are below the Spaniards in the Spanish America social class. They could work at the highest positions in the Spanish society but were msotly artisans, estate supervisors, traders or shopkeepers.
Tenochtitlan: Located on an island in Lake Texcoco. Founded 1325 and was defeated in 1521
Ibn Battuta: Moroccan traveler. He covered 75,000 miles of the Muslim world in the 1300's.
Zheng He: Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, and fleet admiral. Early 1400's.
Spanish Inquisition in 1478: Was established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in the Kingdom under control of the Spanish Monarchy.
Tomas de Torquemada 1400's: Spanish Dominican, first inquisitor general of Spain. He was a confessor to Isabella of Spain.
John Cabot: 1497- seafarer, saild along the coasts of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New England.
Giovanni Verranzano: 1524 Claimed the Americas for the french, however failed at it the first attempt.
Jacques Cartier: 1534 explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River and Canada.
Jamestown, 1607: First settlers "fair meddowes, and goodly tall trees, with fresh waters running through the woods.
Wahunsonacook: Skilied in agriculture and fishing, leaders over the Powhatans.
Powhatan: Local Indians- large confederation of some 30 small tribes under the leadership of the Wahunsonacook.
Ferdinand Magellan: Portuguese manner sponsered by the Spanish Crown, explored the land west of the line of Demarcation.
John Rolfe: 1614 English protestants who wished to "purify" the Angelican church of all Catholic rituals and traditions.
Mayflower Compact: established a self-governing colony based on the majority rule of male church members.
The Great Migration: 1630 some 60,000 people left England for the America's 10,000-20,000 settled in Mass.
Toleration Acts: 1649 Maryland colonial law, that garunteed religious freedom to all Christians.
Bacons Rebellion: 1676 uprising by Virginia settlers, disgruntled over taxes and land, that includes attacking Indians, looting wealthy plantations and burning Jamestown.
Mercantilism: Economic Policy based on the view that a nation's power depended on maintaining a favorable balance of trade exporting > importating.
Navigation Acts: Series of laws designed to increase English merchants profits' by limiting direct trade between English colonies and other European nations.
Iroquois League: Confederation of Indian tribes formed in the 15th century and 16th century: allso called the 6th nation
Monday, July 21, 2008
All of us are experts at practicing virtue at a distance. ~Theodore M. Hesburgh
Patience
Saturday- I realized, the I am definitely NOT the most patient person in the world. I’ve already flipped out a few times over simple things. First, I tried just to walk away, and listen to some music in my room, then when that didn’t calm me down, I went for a subtle bike ride. I tried so hard, to keep myself calm, and patient. But when it comes to my 9 year old brother… I don’t think the Pope would have enough patience.
Sunday- Today was much simpler. I was away at the house of a girl I baby sit for, watching her little girl. It was okay, I had music playing, I had someone around me that couldn’t talk or give me any attitude, and she slept pretty much the whole time. I was very patient, and I could keep my head, and not flip out.
Monday- We went to look at houses in Newport today. It was going good, we found a good place, and mom was saying how good it was going to be. I was doing good with my patience, no siblings around to fight with, and everything started to look up.
Tuesday- The ability to endure delay, trouble, pain or hardship. I definitely don’t have the ability to be patient. At all. I tried listening to music, I tried going for a walk, I tried sitting with the horse in the barn. Nothing worked. I was grumpy, crabby, snippy, and I had no patience for anyone or anything.
Wednesday- I think I switch back and forth. Patience to no patience, to patience again. I was up at camp last night and all day today. I think its something about the fresh air, and not being around town and people. I was able to have my time, to think, and be patient with myself, and those around me.
Thursday- Wahoo! Two days in a row of good patience. I even was able to carry my patience from camp, all the way home, and through out the day.
Friday- AHH! My brother is definitely a test to my patience. I have already locked myself in my room about 3 times today, and its not even 9 pm! So far I’ve already threatened to throw him down the stairs. He wouldn’t stop mouthing off to me. And I wanted to flip out on him. I walked away, and tried to focus on myself, and what I wanted to get out of this virtue thing.
I chose to practice patience, because I am not a very patient person, and I have to work on waiting, and having somewhat of an ability to deal with older kids with some patience would be good. I want to find out, that by practicing this virtue, if I will come out a more calm, patient person. Patience- The capacity of enduring hardship or inconvenience without complaint. Even though Ben didn’t practice the virtue of patience, he must have had quite a bit of patience in order to deal with all the virtue practicing. I plan on taking each day, one at a time, and paying special attention to my virtue. I’m going to try and focus as much as possible, without being to dramatic with it. My plan is to try and keep track of what I am doing, and what I can be doing better.
Overall, I think I could of done much better on my virtue practice. I don’t think I was as focused as I could have been and I’m going to continue working on this specific one, and it will hopefully make me a better friend and person.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Midwife's Diary---Authors intent
I think that Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote and explained Martha’s diary, because she wanted us, the readers, to see how unique and dedicated Martha was to her community and family. By reading this book, I was able to pick out a few good life rules, that everyone should live by. The major thing, that caught my attention, was that it seemed Ulrich was trying to get everyone to know that Martha’s life wasn’t an easy one, it was a struggle, but it was how she made her life.
She made it so she had people to fall back on, and she had her life, the way it was meant to be. I also think that Ulrich wanted people to understand, that women’s roles back in the 18th century, wasn’t as useless as we think. It was shown, that women were as valuable in a community as the men working were, by staying at home, and keeping the house. It was just another way, that Ulrich showed Martha’s perseverance towards her life.
Martha’s personality was very unique. She showed that determination and old age, shouldn’t make your life less valuable. Ulrich had a great understanding of Martha’s life, and she wanted us, the readers, to be able to understand her life too. Martha was unique, in so many ways, and being able to capture those ways in writings is amazing.
The way the diary was portrayed, and the explanations in each chapter show that Ulrich had a good understanding of Martha’s practice, her diary, and what she went through. I think her intent was to teach us what a midwife, with a strong community, goes through in her life. Even though, Martha struggled, she persevered through it all.I think Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wanted to show us that Martha’s life was a natural thing for a women.
I think her intent was to spread Martha’s work through out readers minds, so we know what dedication means. Ulrich did a good job, explaining her diary, and showing us, what it really meant to be a midwife in the late 18th early 19th century Maine.
She made it so she had people to fall back on, and she had her life, the way it was meant to be. I also think that Ulrich wanted people to understand, that women’s roles back in the 18th century, wasn’t as useless as we think. It was shown, that women were as valuable in a community as the men working were, by staying at home, and keeping the house. It was just another way, that Ulrich showed Martha’s perseverance towards her life.
Martha’s personality was very unique. She showed that determination and old age, shouldn’t make your life less valuable. Ulrich had a great understanding of Martha’s life, and she wanted us, the readers, to be able to understand her life too. Martha was unique, in so many ways, and being able to capture those ways in writings is amazing.
The way the diary was portrayed, and the explanations in each chapter show that Ulrich had a good understanding of Martha’s practice, her diary, and what she went through. I think her intent was to teach us what a midwife, with a strong community, goes through in her life. Even though, Martha struggled, she persevered through it all.I think Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wanted to show us that Martha’s life was a natural thing for a women.
I think her intent was to spread Martha’s work through out readers minds, so we know what dedication means. Ulrich did a good job, explaining her diary, and showing us, what it really meant to be a midwife in the late 18th early 19th century Maine.
Midwifes' Diary----- thematic question 2
Midwifes in the late 18th early 19th century had many different obligations to their communities. They had to administer medicine, heal wounds, help women through pregnancies, and help get those who passed, ready for burial. Their were few Midwifes that were successful and well known in a community. They were also great friends, and helped their neighbors through their toughest times of sickness, and death.Finding out what was wrong and then helping to make it better, was a major midwife role. They were like female doctors, checking up, looking over and helping out, when someone was sick. Administering herbs and medicines when necessary, and sitting up with them until they were well, along with checking up on them after she has left them with family.Pregnancies’ could be fatal back then, and it was the midwifes job, to make sure that the pregnancies would go as smooth as possible. They were there to make sure the mother was comfortable and the baby was delivered safe. If there was any problem, the midwife was there to make sure there was no casualties. She would record the birth, and make sure to check up on the mother and infant after a few weeks.Midwifes were just like nurses or doctors, called on if someone fell out of a tree, or if someone had a rash or if someone was “unwell”. From daily visits, to house calls, to overnighters, a midwife was the main set of medical help in every community. They were friends, and neighbors, and well known.If it came to the worst, midwifes would prepare a body for burial. They would lay out the clothes, cover any sores and wounds, and lay them out in the caskets. That was the hardest part of their job, was losing another person. Losing a kid was the worst, and not only would she have to deal with the emotional outcome of herself, she would have to consult the family of the lost loved on.A midwife was very valuable in the 18th century. It didn’t matter if it was a little scrape, or a broken bone. It didn’t matter if it was scarlet fever, or the chicken pox, a midwife would make house calls in the middle of the night, to make sure a patient made it through. They wouldn’t just prescribe a pill, and say take these and you’ll be healed. It took skill and practice to become good at this profession.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Midwifes Diary--thematic question one.
Woman in the late 18th early 19th century weren’t just daughters and wives. They were mothers, cooks, cleaners, friends and neighbors. They made their own clothes and cloth. Some were doctors assistants, some were midwifes. They helped keep the towns in order, and participated in churches and group gatherings. They were an important role in keeping the towns in working condition.
Cloth making was an important chore the women encountered. They would have to make enough clothes for there family, and enough bedding to go around. You couldn’t just buy it in the store, and go home to see if it fit, you’d have to make the yarn, and then spin the yarn, and so forth. After a husband and wife got married, before they moved in, the wife would have to spend a month making clothes and a quilt.Someone had to do the cooking, and let me tell you, it wouldn’t be the men.
Women would cook for everyone in there household, including any extras that might have stopped by. Cooking was a chore, because they didn’t just say, “go to the fridge, grab the chicken and put it in the crock-pot.” They had to go out to the chicken coop, kill the chicken, pluck it, then prepare it. They had to grow their own food to prepare, making another daily chore gardening.
In little towns, everyone knew everyone. Therefore, you had to be a respectable neighbor, even if your neighbor wasn’t as nice. It was proper to be a neighbor willing to help in times of need, or when asked to. Women would help cook, take care of their kids, along with someone else’s when and if the time came. It seemed that each family had a certain responsibility towards the next. Friendship was a way to have someone you can fall back on when times get rough.
The most important job of this time, would have to be mothering. In the 18th century, families ranged from 1 kid to 16 kids. Can you imagine? Trying to mend clothes for the restless boys, or trying to make dresses for the girls? That’s a lot of work for one. The way they raised there kids, was the most important thing. They wanted their kids to be reliable workers, honest and trustworthy, and to be respectful. That’s a lot of work for one person. But they still managed to raise them right.Midwifes, doctors assistants, or nurses were also important roles women took over.
There were few midwifes and doctors per town, so those they had, were stretched between families, trying to take care of the sick, and those giving birth. It was an especially important job during times of serious illness, or in problem births. From broken bones, to concussions to death, the midwife or doctor of the town will be called.Woman back then, would find a way to go to church with their families every Sunday.
They were active Christians in there towns. They participated in parties or dances, weddings or births. Not only were they active Christians, they were also active in each others lives. Family meant a lot to them, and so didn’t their faith.
Women were very valuable in the late 18th early 19th century. They weren’t just people taking up space. They took care of their families, fed them, clothed them, brought them to church. They weren’t hidden and shielded from the world like women in some countries. They where out and about, helping to provide for their family just as much as the men in their families.
Cloth making was an important chore the women encountered. They would have to make enough clothes for there family, and enough bedding to go around. You couldn’t just buy it in the store, and go home to see if it fit, you’d have to make the yarn, and then spin the yarn, and so forth. After a husband and wife got married, before they moved in, the wife would have to spend a month making clothes and a quilt.Someone had to do the cooking, and let me tell you, it wouldn’t be the men.
Women would cook for everyone in there household, including any extras that might have stopped by. Cooking was a chore, because they didn’t just say, “go to the fridge, grab the chicken and put it in the crock-pot.” They had to go out to the chicken coop, kill the chicken, pluck it, then prepare it. They had to grow their own food to prepare, making another daily chore gardening.
In little towns, everyone knew everyone. Therefore, you had to be a respectable neighbor, even if your neighbor wasn’t as nice. It was proper to be a neighbor willing to help in times of need, or when asked to. Women would help cook, take care of their kids, along with someone else’s when and if the time came. It seemed that each family had a certain responsibility towards the next. Friendship was a way to have someone you can fall back on when times get rough.
The most important job of this time, would have to be mothering. In the 18th century, families ranged from 1 kid to 16 kids. Can you imagine? Trying to mend clothes for the restless boys, or trying to make dresses for the girls? That’s a lot of work for one. The way they raised there kids, was the most important thing. They wanted their kids to be reliable workers, honest and trustworthy, and to be respectful. That’s a lot of work for one person. But they still managed to raise them right.Midwifes, doctors assistants, or nurses were also important roles women took over.
There were few midwifes and doctors per town, so those they had, were stretched between families, trying to take care of the sick, and those giving birth. It was an especially important job during times of serious illness, or in problem births. From broken bones, to concussions to death, the midwife or doctor of the town will be called.Woman back then, would find a way to go to church with their families every Sunday.
They were active Christians in there towns. They participated in parties or dances, weddings or births. Not only were they active Christians, they were also active in each others lives. Family meant a lot to them, and so didn’t their faith.
Women were very valuable in the late 18th early 19th century. They weren’t just people taking up space. They took care of their families, fed them, clothed them, brought them to church. They weren’t hidden and shielded from the world like women in some countries. They where out and about, helping to provide for their family just as much as the men in their families.
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