Genocide

Background.
The United Nations was created from the ashes of World War II. It was led by the World War II victors, the Allies (US, Britain, France, USSR). But they were determined not to repeat the faults of the World War I Allies at the Versailles Conference (see Margaret Macmillan’s article from Week 2). Several things worked in that favor: this time a major power was not absent. The United States assumed it’s position as a Superpower (with the USSR) and hosted the United Nations (UN) headquarters. It’s first home was San Francisco but it soon moved to Long Island, NY, and then to its current site on the east side of Manhattan, NYC, not far from Grand Central Station.
Notable for this final class topic, the UN approved “Lemkin’s Law” in 1948, formally called the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In previous assignments, we read Samantha Power’s early chapter from A Problem from Hell on early-20th century genocides. We know how the Armenian genocide and the Nazi Holocaust genocides motivated so many, and especially the jurist Raphael Lemkin. His cogent research helped break through the wall of “state sovereignty” in international law. He untiring activism rallied many to challenge the indifference to the sufferings of others around the world. By 1948, the world had a charter defining genocide as a crime (see Power chapters 4-5). (will provide chapters)
So what happened next after all the worlds’ nations signed the 1948 Genocide Convention? When so many human rights advocates said “never again” as a motto for the later 20th century, why did the world allow it to happen again, and again, and again?
These are very, very difficulty questions and topics to embrace. You will be tested as students and researchers and historians when you do this work. You will see evil and trauma and horrific human suffering. Please know this and be prepared to feel it. Be also look for humanitarian actions, heroic sacrifices, and human resilience. The 20th century genocide story is our human story for us to tell.
This Assignment.
Choose *ONE* late-20th century genocide from Samantha Power’s textbook A Problem from Hell. (will provide chapter)

***Genocide Topic: Europe: Bosnian Serb genocide in Srebinica against Bosnian Muslims,

Each of these genocides occurred at a unique geographical place. The late-20th century world shared some common features of global economy, new technologies, demands for democracy and self-rule. Yet every people, every region, and even every community had to make its own way. This created enormous possibilities and some devastating conflicts, especially when superpowers like the U.S. the Soviet Union,( later the Russian Federation), and China invested in and often manipulated local and regional issues.
RESEARCH MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED ON THIS PAGE: This assignment requires four scholarly sources. These two academic/scholarly sources must be utilized. 1. Samantha Power, A Problem from Hell chapter on your genocide; and 2. U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum website https://www.ushmm.org/.
You also may use the additional sources below, and/or different scholarly sources, as long as you use at least 4 scholars to bring depth to your research. Of course, you may consult general sources, too. Be sure to cite everything that informed your research.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – Genocide Research and Resources
https://www.ushmm.org

Genocide Prevention Resources
https://www.ushmm.org/genocide-prevention/reports-and-resources

What have we learned about the risk factors and warning signs for genocide?”
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/question/what-have-we-learned-about-the-risk-factors-and-warning-signs-of-genocide

Genocide Prevention Task Force. See Executive Summary, pp 16-19. (files uploaded)

Thomas Cushman, “Is Genocide Preventable? Some Theoretical Questions”Journal of Genocide Research 2003. (files uploaded)

Rubric:
Write a short paper (such as 3- 4 pages) on the topic of whether the late-20th century genocide that you chose could have been prevented.
Make a clear argument and back it up with documented evidence.
Rubric:
1. Summary (half of your paper) Concise, accurate overview of the specific genocide in historical context.
a)Who were victims targeted and why? Use official categories from UN Convention on Punishment and Prevention of Genocide as a guide.
b) Where did it happen? what national and international confliects set up conditions for this genocide?
c) What, if any, actions were taken to warn about or prevent this genocide, and why or why not?
2. Take a postion. Clear thesis statement about prevention: yes, no, or maybe such as a qualified response.
3. Supporting evidence for your position Time, place, and methods you propose for possible prevention, and why they would or would not be possible. Use scholarly literature on prevention for models.
4. Presentation Include proper footnotes to at least four scholarly sources on your chosen genocide and genocide prevention. Class assigned reading may be included in your four sources.

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