Germany claimed sovereignty over Rwanda and was part of German East Africa during the Berlin Conference in 1899. Germany’s control did not really influence the social structure of Rwanda.
On October 20, 1924, Belgium took over Rwanda after Germany lost WWI. Rwanda became a mandate territory of the League of Nations, under the territory “Ruanda-Urundi” along with Burundi. The Belgians implemented a cash crop economy to profit off of Rwanda, creating a divide between the nobility and the rest of the people. Belgian control ended in 1962.
The reasons for colonialism in Rwanda was because of Rwanda’s agriculture, specifically cattle and crops. Their colonization implemented the use of indirect techniques, such as putting the two ethnic groups against each other and establishing favoritism for European features and through religion, specifically the spread of Christianity to justify their actions. There were local uprisings and resistance movements against Belgian rule during their control.
Tutsis were the ethnic minority, making up about 14% as Hutus were 85% of the population, with the Twa as the remaining 1%. During Belgian colonization of Rwanda, Belgians implemented the idea that the Tutsis were more “European-looking” than the Hutus, creating favoritism between the groups. The Tutsis were then considered to be a higher class compared to the Hutus. The Tutsi were assumed to be lighter skinned and tall while the Hutu were assumed to be darker skinned and short. The Belgians measured, compared and noted the differences in skulls, noses and height to distinguish between the two groups. They also used identity cards to distinguish between who was in each group. The Belgians established a monarchy and put Tutsis in positions of power, leading to tensions between the Tutsi and Hutu, which would later prompt revolts from the Hutu. Belgium used passive colonization, not directly taking over themselves, but creating division among the groups and placing certain people in power. They introduced the idea of racism between the Hutu and Tutsi, creating ethnic tensions among them.
The Hutu Revolution began on November 1, 1959. The violence started from rumors of the death of a Hutu leader by Tutsis, which sparked violence from many Hutus against Tutsis. This led to about 20,000 Tutsis being killed and 150,000 fleeing the country. On January 28, 1961, the Hutus, with approval of the Belgian colonial authorities, launched a successful coup against the Tutsi monarchy. The Tutsi king was dethroned, who had already fled the country after the violence in the year prior. The coup made way for a Hutu provisional national government and Rwanda becoming a republic.