Final answer:
The Rwandan genocide was rooted in the economic and political legacies of colonialism, resulting in deep ethnic divisions between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority. Post-independence power struggles and historical resentments led to the systematic killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994.
Step-by-step explanation:
The economic and political issues leading up to the Rwandan genocide can be traced back to the period of colonial rule, which entrenched and exacerbated ethnic divisions. Belgium's colonial administration established a system that favored the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority, creating deep-seated resentment. When Rwanda gained independence in 1962, this led to a power vacuum, with the Hutus seizing control and instituting a repressive regime against the Tutsis. These tensions culminated in the genocide of 1994, where extremist Hutu forces began systematically killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus, leaving approximately 800,000 people dead. The legacy of colonialism, coupled with political upheaval and the struggle for power between the Hutu and Tutsi, set the stage for one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.