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Genocide

Armenian Genocide Memorial - Yerevan

Armenian Genocide Memorial - Yerevan

The term genocide, meaning the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group, was coined in 1943 by Raphael Lemkin in response to the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. According to the International Association of Genocide Scholars, "In the 20th century, genocides and state mass murder have killed more people than have all wars." Despite the International Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Crime of Genocide and the tireless work of activists, mass violence continues and too often the perpetrators go unpunished.

As students study these specific events, it is important to help them think about how universal aspects of human behavior such as prejudice, stereotyping, and conformity contribute to the proliferation of violence, and about how the decisions made by groups and individuals have the power to stop, prevent, or intensify acts of genocide.

See also our Holocaust Resource Collection and our Armenian Genocide Resource Collection.

In-Depth Content

LESSONS, UNITS AND PUBLICATIONS

Online Video
See video Arn Chorn Pond: Everyone Has a Story
See video John Prendergast Speaks with Facing History Students
See video Yvonne Campbell, Holocaust Survivor, Speaks at 2007 New York Benefit
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Library Resources

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Facing Today

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Related Websites

  • Committee on Conscience, United States Holocaust Memorial Musuem

    Concerned about present-day as well as historical genocides, the Committee on Conscience offers ways to take action against genocide.

  • Eight Stages of Genocide

    Genocide Watch outlines eight stages in the process of genocide--classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, and denial--and the preventative measures that could stop genocide at each stage.

  • Genocide Education Project

    The Genocide Education Project is a nonprofit organization that assists teachers in teaching about human rights and genocide, by developing and distributing instructional materials, providing access to teaching resources and organizing workshops.

  • Genocide Watch

    Genocide Watch exists to predict, prevent, stop, and punish genocide and other forms of mass murder. Genocide Watch is the Coordinating organization of The International Campaign to End Genocide, which aims to educate the general public and policy makers about the causes, processes, and warning signs of genocide; to create the institutions and political will to prevent and stop genocide; and to bring perpetrators of genocide to justice.

  • Human Rights in the US & the International Community

    Foundation and Genocide & Crimes against Humanity are two modules on international human rights. This site, which includes lesson plans and images, is intended as a high school and post-secondary resource on human rights.

  • Legacy Project

    This site is a gathering place for people interested in the enduring legacies of the violent traumas of the 20th century. We explore issues of remembrance in different cultures, so to better understand the contemporary significance of historical tragedy.