The document discusses the stages of genocide according to genocide scholar Gregory Stanton. It provides definitions and examples for each of the 8 stages: classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, and denial. It then summarizes the ongoing Darfur genocide by analyzing how it aligns with Stanton's stages of genocide.
2. Classification
All cultures have categories to
distinguish people into “us and them” by
ethnicity, race religion, or nationality.
Bipolar societies that lack mixed
categories, such as Rwanda and
Burundi, are the most likely to have
genocide.
3. Classification Example
During the holocaust, Aryans were the highest class. To Hitler, if you
were not Aryan, you were to be destroyed.
4. Symbolization
We give names or other symbols to the
classifications.
We name people “Jews” or “Gypsies”, or
distinguish them by colors or dress; and
apply the symbols to members of groups.
Classification and symbolization are
universally human and do not necessarily
result in genocide unless they lead to the
next stage; dehumanization.
5. Symbolization (cont.)
When combined with hatred, symbols
may be forced upon unwilling members
of pariah groups: the yellow star got
Jews under Nazi rule, the blue scarf for
people from the Eastern Zone in Khmer
Rouge Cambodia.
6. Symbolization Example
Nazis forced Jews to wear
this badge of a Jewish star.
This allowed Nazis to keep
track of the Jews.
7. Dehumanization
One group denies the humanity of the
other group.
Members of a group are equated with
animals, vermin, insects, or diseases.
Dehumanization overcomes the normal
human revulsion against murder.
Hate propaganda in print and on hate
radios is used to vilify the victim group.
8. Dehumanization Examples
Jews were forced into tight Jewish prisoners suffered
quarters, starved, and tortured by greatly and were extremely
the Nazis. malnourished.
9. Organization
Genocide is always organized, usually
by the state, often using militias to
provide deniability of state responsibility.
Sometimes organization is informal or
decentralized.
Special army units or militias are often
trained and armed.
Plans are made for genocidal killings.
10. Organization Example
During the Holocaust, the Nazis organized and trained millions
of soldiers to exterminate non- Aryans, especially Jews.
11. Polarization
Extremists drive the groups apart.
Hate groups broadcast polarizing
propaganda
Laws may forbid intermarriage or social
interaction.
12. Polarization (cont.)
Extremist terrorism targets moderates,
intimidating and silencing the center.
Moderates from the perpetrators’ own
group are most able to stop genocide,
so are the first to be arrested and killed.
13. Polarization Example
Nazi propaganda against Jews
stating “He who wears this
symbol is an enemy of our
people.”
14. Preparation
Victims are identified and separated out
because of their ethnic or religious
identity.
Death lists are drawn up.
Members of victim groups are forced to
wear identifying symbols.
Their property is expropriated.
15. Preparation (cont.)
They are often segregated into ghettos,
deported into concentration camps, or
confined to a famine- struck region and
starved
17. Extermination
Begins and quickly becomes the mass
killing legally called “genocide.”
It is “extermination” to the killers
because they do not believe their victims
to be fully human.
18. Extermination Examples
Millions of Jews were killed at the hands of
the Nazis who wanted to destroy all Jewish
people.
19. Denial
The eighth stage that always follows a
genocide.
It is among the surest indicators of
further genocidal massacres.
The perpetrators of genocide dig up the
mass graves, burn the bodies, try to
cover up the evidence and intimidate the
witnesses.
20. Denial (cont.)
The perpetrators deny that they
committed any crimes, and often blame
what happened on the victims.
○ They block investigations of the crimes, and
continue to govern until driven from power by
force, when they flee into exile.
○ In exile, they remain with impunity, like Pol Pot
or Idi Amin, unless they are captured and a
tribunal is established to try them.
21. Denial Example
Even in today’s generation, there are still
people that deny that the Holocaust even
happened.
22. The Darfur Genocide
The Darfur genocide is
occurring in Darfur, a
region in Sudan.
23. Who is involved?
○ Muslims are involved. Some are nomads and
some are farmers.
24. What happened?
2003: 2 Darfuri rebel movements took action
against the Sudanese government
These movements include the Sudan Liberation
Army and the Justice and Equality Movement
Sudan responded by sending Arab militias
known as Janjaweed to attack villages in
Darfur
The Janjaweed displaced over 2,500,000
people and five thousand people are killed
each month.
There were many attempts to try to regain
peace but none of them have been effective.
25. When did it happen?
February 2003 to the present
The Janjaweed
Darfur Village during
Genocide
26. Where is it happening?
Darfur, Sudan
Darfur is located in the western part of
Sudan, bordering on Libya, Chad, and the
Central African Republic.
Aerial view of Darfur
27. Why is it happening?
The Sudan Liberation Army and the
Justice and Equality Movement
complained about the marginalization of
Darfur and the failure to protect people
from nomad attacks.
The Sudan Liberation Army
29. Making Connections
Classification: In Darfur, there are many
classes involved in the genocide that
include black African farmers and Arab
Africans.
Symbolization: Skin color is used to
decipher between Black Africans and Arab
Africans.
Dehumanization: People are mistreated
and put into slavery.
Organization: Arab militias known as
Janjaweed were organized.
30. Making connections cont.
Polarization: Sudan’s president took the
side of Arab Africans.
Preparation: Militias were prepared and
trained for the extermination of the Black
Africans.
Extermination: Villages were burned,
people were killed and villages looted.
Denial: Sudanese government officials
deny the genocide.
