Editing Rwanda (section)

== Colonial period ==

Rwanda became part of [[German East Africa]] in 1897. German officials ruled through the existing monarchy rather than replacing it with a large colonial administration. The court of the ''mwami'' remained the main channel for orders, tribute, and local control, while German officers and Catholic missionaries gained influence in the central kingdom.

Belgian forces occupied Rwanda in 1916 during the [[First World War]]. After Germany's defeat, Rwanda and Burundi were administered by Belgium as [[Ruanda-Urundi]]. Belgium kept the monarchy in place but reorganized local rule under Belgian supervision.

Belgian administration changed Rwanda more directly than German rule. In the 1920s and 1930s, Belgian officials reduced the authority of many local chiefs and concentrated power under chiefs favoured by the colonial state. Catholic missions expanded schooling and trained clerks, teachers, and local officials. Identity documents introduced in 1933 fixed Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa classifications in state records.

Political conflict increased after the [[Second World War]]. Hutu political movements challenged the monarchy and the chiefly system, while royalist groups defended the court. Violence began in November 1959 after an attack on Dominique Mbonyumutwa, a Hutu sub-chief. The unrest weakened royal authority and caused many Tutsi to flee Rwanda.

Rwanda was declared a republic at Gitarama on 28 January 1961. A referendum held on 25 September 1961 abolished the monarchy and confirmed republican rule. Rwanda became independent from Belgium on 1 July 1962.