Unfortunately, humankind doesn’t give a pretty picture when we cover topics like 11 Biggest Genocides In History. Having said that, it is a part of our history and us as humans should all learn from the mistakes that led to these genocides. We will start our topic by explaining the term genocide and when was it used for the first time.
Genocide is a planned or a systematic removal of all or part of the religious, ethnic, racial or a national group. This removal may come in many forms but it usually involves mass killing of innocent people. Winston Churchill once called it a crime with no name. The word Genocide was not used until 1944 and later it was officially defined by the United Nations in 1948. Genocide is a combination of words from Greek and Latin language – the word “Geo” in Greek, which means a race or tribe and the word “Cide” in Latin, which means killing or extinction.
Although Genocide is relatively a newer term the act itself is hundreds and thousands of years old. People and races have killed each other for reasons like land, fame and resources, and sometimes it has come down to the hatred of a single man against the whole race, group or religion. Genocide is a term which is also considered as one of the most controversial terms of modern times. Many different leaders, countries, and tribes have defined the term in their own ways. Genocide is a deliberate and a calculated act which is usually understood and perceived in a negative way.
Comparing this list with our list of 10 Most Racist Countries in The World might also reveal some more insights on human history. For now, let’s get started!
11. The Assyrian Genocide
The Assyrian Genocide, which is also known as “Seyfo” lasted for 8 long years – from 1915 to 1923. It was initiated by the young Turks and was planned against the Assyrian people. The massacre claimed around 750,000 lives.
10. The Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan genocide is probably the worst example of human intolerance and evil politics. It was the extermination of Tutsi people by Akazu (an extremist organization) of the ruling party. During this close to 1 million people died.
9. The Cambodian Genocide
Next on our list is the Cambodian genocide that took place from 1975 to 1979. The main reason behind the killing of 1.2 million people was “purification of populace” – Yes, purification! That’s exactly how stupid and hateful humans can get.
8. The Armenian Genocide
The Armenian genocide was a planned extermination of Armenian people. It was planned by the Ittihadist Empire and resulted in the complete removal of Armenian people. The genocide claimed more than 1.3 million lives.
7. The Circassian Genocide
The Imperial Russia planned this brutal genocide against Circassian people. It lasted for 3 years from 1864 – 1867 claiming more than 1.35 lives.
6. The Greek Genocide
The Ottoman Greek Genocide took place alongside the Assyrian Genocide. Through the genocide, the Ottoman Greek of Eastern Thrace were systematically exterminated. The genocide claimed around 1.4 million lives.
5. The Nigerian Civil War
Number five on our list of 11 Biggest Genocides In History is the Nigerian civil war, which took place between 1967-1970 and claimed close to 2 million lives. The war was nothing but just an ethnic conflict between two races of Nigeria.
4. Removal of Germans From Europe
After the World War II, Germans living in the former Germany were made to leave their lands and territory. An unbelievable 14 million people migrated from former parts of Germany to the new Germany and around 2.5 million people lost their lives.
3. The Holocaust
Who doesn’t know about Holocaust? It was the planned extermination of Jews and other people (who were considered low) by the Nazi group and allies. The genocide lasted for almost 4 years and claimed more than 17 million lives.
2. The Ethnikoi Hellenes Genocide
The Ethnikoi Hellenes genocide was the extermination of Greco-Roman by Christian Roman. It is considered one of the most successful genocides in human history. The total number of casualties will never be known as the incident dates back to 314 AD. The number of deaths maybe even more than what we have at number one but it is definitely more than the Holocaust.
1. The Indigenous American Genocide
Number one on our list of 11 Biggest Genocides In History is The indigenous American suicide. It is probably the most overlooked genocide of the world. It claimed more than 25 million lives and lasted for more than hundred years.
