Final answer:
The Rwandan genocide was the result of longstanding ethnic tensions fueled by colonial manipulation, gaining independence without adequate structures for power-sharing, leading to genocide in 1994 committed by Hutu extremists against Tutsis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Rwandan genocide in 1994 was the culmination of a long history of ethnic tension and conflict exacerbated by colonial rule. Colonial powers, first the Germans and later the Belgians, manipulated ethnic divisions by favoring the minority Tutsis over the majority Hutus, which sowed seeds of resentment. When Rwanda gained independence in 1962, these tensions escalated into a series of civil wars, leading to the genocide where Hutu extremists attempted to exterminate the Tutsi population.
The U.S., still cautious after the Somalia intervention, did not engage directly in stopping the genocide. The aftermath created a massive humanitarian crisis with over a million refugees. The genocide's legacy continues to affect Rwanda's socio-political landscape, with Tutsis now dominating the government and ongoing efforts to reconcile the ethnic groups.