Timeline of Rwanda

Chronology

23 events spanning the history of Rwanda. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1884

   The Berlin Conference is held on the division of Africa between Europen Nations.

   The Berlin Conference is held on the division of Africa between Europen Nations.

2. 1899

   Rwanda became a German colony.

   Rwanda became a German colony.

3. 1900

   King Musinga receives the first group of European Catholic missionaries.

   King Musinga receives the first group of European Catholic missionaries, known as the “White Fathers” or “Peres Blancs”.

4. 1919

   Rwanda became a mandate territory of the League of Nations under the administration of Belgium.

   After the defeat of the Germans during WW1, subsequently in 1919 Rwanda became a mandate territory of the League of Nations under the administration of Belgium. The Germans and the Belgians administered Rwanda through a system of indirect rule. During this colonial era, a cash crop economy was introduced in Rwanda, and this was administered through harsh methods that further alienated the King and his chiefs from the rest of the population.

5. 1923

   Belgium granted League of Nations mandate to govern Ruanda-Urundi.

   Belgium granted League of Nations mandate to govern Ruanda-Urundi, which it ruled indirectly through Tutsi kings.

6. 1931

   Belgium forces King Musinga to abdicate his throne.

   Belgium forces King Musinga to abdicate his throne, who is then exiled to Kamembe (current prefecture of Cyangugu), near the Rwanda-DRC border. His son, king Rudahigwa Mutara II, succeeds him.

7. 1935

   The Belgian Colonial Administration issues identification that clearly categorized people.

   The Belgian Colonial Administration issues, for the first time, identification that clearly categorized people as “Hutu”,“ Tutsi” and “Twa” on the basis of the number of heads of cattle they owned. Those with ten or more cows were categorized as “Tutsi”, while those with less were categorized as “Hutu”.

8. 1943

   Belgium initiates a series of administrative reforms.

   Belgium initiates a series of administrative reforms that eliminated local chieftains who were mostly Bahutu and replaces them with chiefs directly appointed by the King, and who were Batutsi.

9. 1946

   Rwanda becomes a United Nations trustee territory governed by Belgium. .

   Rwanda becomes a United Nations trustee territory governed by Belgium. .

10. 1957

    Hutus issue manifesto calling for a change in Rwanda’s power structure.

    Hutus issue manifesto calling for a change in Rwanda’s power structure to give them a voice commensurate with their numbers; Hutu political parties formed.