The document outlines the 10 steps that often lead to genocide: 1. Classification - Dividing people into groups based on race, ethnicity, religion or nationality. 2. Symbolization - Giving groups names or symbols to identify them. 3. Discrimination - Using laws and political power to deny rights to groups. 4. Dehumanization - Comparing groups to animals or vermin to encourage mistreatment. 5. Organization - Creating militias or special units to carry out the genocide. 6. Polarization - Removing moderates who may stand in the way of the genocide. 7. Preparation - Using propaganda to instill fear and justify the need to kill groups. 8

1. THE STEPS TO GENOCIDE

2. Objective
I can define genocide and
identify examples of genocide in
the Balkans, Rwanda, and Darfur.
•WH 22D

3. Essential Question
What are examples of instances in
which basic human rights have not
been universally protected? Cite
specific examples to support your
thinking.

4. CREATE THIS TABLE IN YOUR NOTEBOOK
STEPS TO GENOCIDE
CLASSIFICATION (1)
SYMBOLIZATION (1)
DISCRIMINATION (1)
DEHUMANIZATION (1)
ORGANIZATION (1)
POLARIZATION (1)
PREPARATION (1)
PERSECUTION (1)
EXTERMINATION (1)
DENIAL (1)

5. CLASSIFICATION
Dividing the people
by race, ethnicity,
religion, or
nationality.

6. SYMBOLIZATION
Giving a name or a
symbol to the
classified groups.

7. DISCRIMINATION
Laws and political
power are used to
deny rights to a
group.

8. DEHUMANIZATION
The targeted group
is often compared
to animals,
vermin, etc.

9. ORGANIZATION
Special units and
militias and
trained, plans
made for
genocide.

10. POLARIZATION
Moderates and
others who stand
in the way of the
genocide are
removed.

11. PREPARATIONS
Governments
plants fear: “We
must kill them or
they will kill us.”

12. PERSECUTION
Victims are
identified and split
up, being prepped
to be killed.

13. EXTERMINATION
Mass killings begin.
Sometimes the
victims will fight
back.

14. DENIAL
Cover-up or denial
of killings. Graves
dug-up or bodies
burned.