The term genocide was coined by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1943, to describe the deliberate destruction of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group.
Today, many scholars disagree on a precise definition of genocide, as some would argue that attempts to destroy or eliminate any group of people could be considered genocide.
Regardless of definition, it is clear that genocide is a problem that pervades both our history and our present. From the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide in the first half of the twentieth century to the atrocities in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent years, the systematic destruction of groups of people is an issue that continues to haunt us as a society.
This pathfinder is designed to be a guide for anyone interested in researching the topic of genocide. The resources in this pathfinder provide an overview of what genocide is, the history of genocide, more detailed accounts of genocide in specific regions, and places to look for more information on the topic. This guide is a place to start your research on genocide; it is my hope that, by studying the atrocities of the past, we can find a way to prevent genocide in the future.
Note: Some of the resources in this guide are designed to provide an overview of past genocides, and thus include the Holocaust. Because there is an abundance of resources on this particular genocide, though, I have chosen to focus on lesser-known instances of genocide in my regionally-specific resources.
Today, many scholars disagree on a precise definition of genocide, as some would argue that attempts to destroy or eliminate any group of people could be considered genocide.
Regardless of definition, it is clear that genocide is a problem that pervades both our history and our present. From the Holocaust and the Armenian genocide in the first half of the twentieth century to the atrocities in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent years, the systematic destruction of groups of people is an issue that continues to haunt us as a society.
This pathfinder is designed to be a guide for anyone interested in researching the topic of genocide. The resources in this pathfinder provide an overview of what genocide is, the history of genocide, more detailed accounts of genocide in specific regions, and places to look for more information on the topic. This guide is a place to start your research on genocide; it is my hope that, by studying the atrocities of the past, we can find a way to prevent genocide in the future.
Note: Some of the resources in this guide are designed to provide an overview of past genocides, and thus include the Holocaust. Because there is an abundance of resources on this particular genocide, though, I have chosen to focus on lesser-known instances of genocide in my regionally-specific resources.