Final answer:
The 'Rwanda 1994' lesson teaches the grave consequences of ethnic conflict and international inaction in the face of genocide. It highlights the importance of intervention and awareness to prevent such atrocities and acknowledges the historic failures that led to the Rwandan Genocide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lesson that 'Rwanda 1994' invokes is the significant consequences of ethnic divisiveness and the catastrophic impact of international neglect in the face of genocide. Rwanda was deeply impacted by its transition from a colony to an independent nation, where long-standing ethnic divisions between the Hutus and Tutsis culminated in a brutal genocide.
In learning about the Rwandan Genocide, we understand the importance of early intervention in such conflicts, the dangers of ethnic discrimination, and the need for an effective international response to prevent similar atrocities. The reluctance of the United States and the broader international community to intervene, due in part to the sting of the Somalia failure, resulted in a tragedy that claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 people in only a hundred days. Former President Clinton later acknowledged this regrettable inaction during his visit to Rwanda.
The lesson here is clear: the international community must learn from past mistakes and commit to preventing genocide and protecting vulnerable populations.