The Genocide
Education Project

Ten Stages of Genocide
“Ten Stages of Genocide” was a document developed by Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, a professor at
Mary Washington University and the Vice President of the International Association of Genocide
Scholars (2006). Stanton also leads Genocide Watch, a non-profit organization dedicated to the
fight against genocide. (“Ten Stages of Genocide” was originally written in 1996 at the U.S.
Department of State as the “Eight Stages of Genocide,” presented at the Yale University Center for
International and Area Studies in 1998, and revised in 2013.)
“Ten Stages of Genocide” is a formula for how a society can engage in genocide. Genocide cannot
be committed by an individual or small group; rather, it takes the cooperation of a large number of
people and the state. The genocidal process starts with prejudice that continues to grow. By
knowing the stages of genocide, citizens are bettr equipped to identify the warning signs and stop
the process from continuing.
The ten stages of genocide are: classification, symbolization, discrimination, dehumanization,
organization, polarization, preparation, persecution, extermination, and denial.
Ten Stages of Genocide
By Gregory H. Stanton
Genocide is a process that develops in ten stages that are predictable, but not inexorable. At each
stage, preventive measures can stop it. The later stages must be preceded by the earlier stages,
though earlier stages continue to operate throughout the process.
1. CLASSIFICATION:
All cultures have categories to distinguish people into „us and them” by ethnicity, race, religion, or
nationality: German and Jew, Hutu and Tutsi. If societies are too segregated (divided) they are most
likely to have genocide.
The main way of preventing genocide at this early stage is to develop opportunities in a society for
people to work and live together who are from different ethnic, social, national or religious
backgrounds. This will allow people to become more tolerant and understanding of each other. In
the United States, public schools serve this function, as they are places where all young people can
go regardless of their ethnic, social, national or religious backgrounds. This search for common
ground is vital to early prevention of genocide.
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2. SYMBOLIZATION:
We give names or other symbols to the classifications of ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality. We
name people “Jews” or „Gypsies”, or distinguish them by colors or dress, and apply them to
members of groups. Classification and symbolization are universally human and do not necessarily
result in genocide unless they lead to the stage of dehumanization. When combined with hatred,
symbols may be forced upon unwilling members of minority groups: the yellow star for Jews under
Nazi rule, the blue scarf for people from the Eastern Zone in Khmer Rouge Cambodia.
Sometimes we impose symbols on ourselves like gangs using certain colors. That is the group’s
right but sometimes backfires when they are discriminated against. To combat symbolization, hate
symbols can be legally forbidden (swastikas) as can hate speech. Group marking like gang clothing
or tribal scarring can be outlawed, as well.
The problem is that legal restrictions will fail if unsupported by society. Sometimes if we outlaw
certain names but hate exists new names will just take their place. If widely supported, however,
denial of symbolization can be powerful, as it was in Bulgaria, when many non-Jews chose to wear
the yellow star, depriving it of its importance as a Nazi symbol for Jews. According to legend in
Denmark, the Nazis did not introduce the yellow star because they knew even the King would wear
it.
3. DISCRIMINATION:
A dominant group uses law, custom, and political power to deny the rights of other groups. The
powerless group may not be given full civil rights or even citizenship. Examples include the
Nuremberg Laws of 1935 in Nazi Germany, which stripped Jews of their German citizenship, and
prohibited their employment by the government and by universities. Prevention against
discrimination means full political empowerment and citizenship rights for all groups in a
society. Discrimination on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, race or religion should be
outlawed. Individuals should have the right to sue the state, corporations, and other individuals if
their rights are violated.
4. DEHUMANIZATION:
Dehumanization is when one group treats another group as second-class citizens. Members of a
persecuted group may be compared with animals, parasites, insects or diseases. When a group of
people is thought of as “less than human” it is easier for the group in control to murder them.
At this stage, hate propaganda in print and on hate radios is used to make the victims seem like
villains. In fighting this dehumanization, one must remember that there is no right of “freedom of
speech” to tell people to commit murder. Outlawing hate speech can help save the lives of those
targeted. If a country is on the verge of committing genocide it is no longer a democracy (if it was
before), and the broad freedom of speech protected in a democracy may need to be limited in such a
country. Hate radio stations should be shut down, and hate propaganda banned. Hate crimes and
atrocities should be promptly punished.
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5. ORGANIZATION:
Genocide is always organized, usually by the state, though sometimes informally or by terrorist
groups. Special army units or militias are often trained and armed. Plans are made for genocidal
killings.
To combat this stage, membership in these militias should be outlawed. Their leaders should not be
allowed to travel outside their country where they may be able to raise funds or get weapons. The
U.N. should enforce arms embargoes on governments and citizens of countries involved in
genocidal massacres, and create commissions to investigate violations, as was done in postgenocide Rwanda.
6. POLARIZATION:
Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast propaganda that reinforces prejudice and
hate. Laws may forbid intermarriage or social interaction between the groups. Extremist terrorism
targets moderates, and intimidates them so that they are silent. Moderate leaders are those best able
to prevent genocide and they are often the first to be assassinated.
Prevention may mean security protection for moderate leaders or assistance to human rights groups.
Assets (money and property) of extremists may be seized, and opportunities for international travel
denied to them. If extremists try to take over the government, then international sanctions should be
put in place.
7. PREPARATION:
National or perpetrator group leaders plan the “Final Solution” to the Jewish, Armenian, Tutsi or
other targeted group “question.” They often use euphemisms to cloak their intentions, such as
referring to their goals as “ethnic cleansing,” “purification,” or “counter-terrorism.” They build
armies, buy weapons and train their troops and militias. They indoctrinate the populace with fear of
the victim group. Leaders often claim, “If we don’t kill them, they will kill us.” Prevention of
preparation may include arms embargos and commissions to enforce them. It should include
prosecution of incitement and conspiracy to commit genocide, both crimes under Article 3 of the
Genocide Convention1
.
8. PERSECUTION:
Victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are
drawn up. In state sponsored genocide, members of victim groups may be forced to wear
identifying symbols. Their property is often confiscated. Sometimes they are even segregated into
ghettoes, deported into concentration camps, or confined to a famine-struck region and
starved. Genocidal massacres begin. They are acts of genocide because they intentionally destroy
part of a group. At this stage, a Genocide Emergency must be declared. If the political will of the
1 Article III: The following acts shall be punishable:
(a) Genocide; (b) Conspiracy to commit genocide; (c) Direct and public incitement to commit genocide;
(d) Attempt to commit genocide; (e) Complicity in genocide.
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great powers, regional alliances, or the U.N. Security Council can be mobilized, armed international
intervention should be prepared, or heavy assistance provided to the victim group to prepare for its
self-defense. Humanitarian assistance should be organized by the U.N. and private relief groups for
the inevitable tide of refugees to come.
9. EXTERMINATION:
Extermination begins, and quickly becomes the mass killing legally called „genocide.” It is
„extermination” to the killers because they do not believe their victims to be fully human (see
dehumanization). When it is sponsored by the government, the armed forces often work with
private armies to do the killing. Sometimes the genocide results in revenge killings by groups
against each other, creating the downward whirlpool-like cycle of mutual genocide where the
victims actually organize and commit a second genocide on the perpetrators.
At this stage, only rapid and overwhelming armed intervention can stop genocide. Real safe areas
or refugee escape regions should be established with heavily armed international protection. The
U.N. needs troops that can go in to genocidal areas and stop the killing when the U.N. Security
Council calls it. The U.N. may decide to act through regional military forces from organizations
like NATO. Relief groups should be prepared to assist the victims.
If the U.N. will not get involved directly, militarily powerful nations should provide the airlift,
equipment, and financial means necessary for regional states to intervene with U.N. authorization.
10. DENIAL:
Denial is the tenth stage that always follows genocide. It is among the surest indicators of further
genocidal massacres. The perpetrators of genocide dig up the mass graves, burn the bodies, try to
cover up the evidence and intimidate the witnesses. They deny that they committed any crimes, and
often blame what happened on the victims. They block investigations of the crimes, and continue to
govern until driven from power by force, when they flee into exile. Leaders of the genocide
continue to deny the crime unless they are captured and a tribunal (special court) is established to
try them.
The best response to denial is punishment by an international tribunal or national courts. There the
evidence can be heard, and the perpetrators punished. Tribunals or international courts must be
created. They may not prevent the worst genocidal killers, but at least some mass murderers may be
brought to justice.
This text was edited for use in high schools by The Genocide Education Project in cooperation with
the original author, Gregory H. Stanton.
© 1998 Gregory H. Stanton
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Assignment
After reading “Ten Stages of Genocide” by Gregory Stanton and “A Brief History of the Armenian
Genocide” by Sara Cohan, complete the following activities. “A Brief History of the Armenian
Genocide” can be found at www.teachgenocide.com/documents/index.htm
Match the information from Section B into the appropriate box in Section A, which contains the
descriptions of the stages from “Ten Stages of Genocide.”
Section A:
1. CLASSIFICATION:
All cultures have categories to distinguish people into „us and them” by ethnicity, race, religion, or
nationality: German and Jew, Hutu and Tutsi. If societies are too segregated (divided) they are most
likely to have genocide.
Classification
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
2. SYMBOLIZATION:
We give names or other symbols to the classifications of ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality. We
name people “Jews” or „Gypsies”, or distinguish them by colors or dress; and apply them to
members of groups. Classification and symbolization are universally human and do not necessarily
result in genocide unless they lead to the stage of dehumanization. When combined with hatred,
symbols may be forced upon unwilling members of minority groups: the yellow star for Jews under
Nazi rule, the blue scarf for people from the Eastern Zone in Khmer Rouge Cambodia.
Symbolism
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
3. DISCRIMINATION:
A dominant group uses law, custom, and political power to deny the rights of other groups. The
powerless group may not be given full civil rights or even citizenship.
Discrimination
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
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4. DEHUMANIZATION:
Dehumanization is when one group treats another group as second-class citizens. Members of a
persecuted group may be compared with animals, parasites, insects or diseases. When a group of
people is thought of as “less than human” it is easier for the group in control to murder them.
Dehumanization
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
5. ORGANIZATION:
Genocide is always organized, usually by the state, though sometimes informally or by terrorist
groups. Special army units or militias are often trained and armed. Plans are made for genocidal
killings.
Organization
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
6. POLARIZATION:
Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast polarizing propaganda. Laws may forbid
intermarriage or social interaction. Extremist terrorism targets moderates, intimidating and
silencing the center.
Polarization
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
7. PREPARATION:
National or perpetrator group leaders plan the “Final Solution” to the Jewish, Armenian, Tutsi or
other targeted group “question.” They often use euphemisms to cloak their intentions, such as
referring to their goals as “ethnic cleansing,” “purification,” or “counter-terrorism.” They build
armies, buy weapons and train their troops and militias. They indoctrinate the populace with fear of
the victim group. Leaders often claim, “If we don’t kill them, they will kill us.”
Preparation
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
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8. PERSECUTION:
Victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are
drawn up. In state sponsored genocide, members of victim groups may be forced to wear
identifying symbols. Their property is often confiscated. Sometimes they are even segregated into
ghettoes, deported into concentration camps, or confined to a famine-struck region and
starved. Genocidal massacres begin.
Persecution
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
9. EXTERMINATION:
Extermination begins, and quickly becomes the mass killing legally called „genocide.” It is
„extermination” to the killers because they do not believe their victims to be fully human. When it
is sponsored by the state, the armed forces often work with militias to do the killing.
Extermination
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
10. DENIAL:
Denial is the tenth stage that always follows genocide. It is among the surest indicators of further
genocidal massacres. The perpetrators of genocide dig up the mass graves, burn the bodies, try to
cover up the evidence and intimidate the witnesses. They deny that they committed any crimes, and
often blame what happened on the victims. They block investigations of the crimes, and continue to
govern until driven from power by force, when they flee into exile.
Denial
Example from the Armenian Genocide:
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Section B:
1. “Within months, the Euphrates and Tigris rivers became clotted with the bodies of Armenian
women and children, polluting the water supply for those who had not yet perished. Dysentery and
other diseases were rampant and those who managed to survive the march found themselves in
concentration camps.”
2. “Among a series of actions enacted to counter Armenian Genocide recognition and education,
the Turkish government even passed a law in 2004 known as Article 305, which makes it a criminal
offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to discuss the Armenian Genocide.”
3. “… CUP leaders sent orders to province leaders to gather women and children and either load
them onto trains headed for the Syrian Desert or lead them on forced marches into the desert.
Embarking with little food and few supplies, women and children had little hope of survival.”
4. “[An] early Christian identity has greatly influenced Armenian culture, setting it apart from most
of its neighboring peoples.”
5. “The Armenians were second-class citizens of the Ottoman Empire and while they were granted
some freedoms, including the ability to practice Christianity, they were faced with extra taxes and
discriminatory laws extending to their participation in the justice system, government, and their
civil and property rights.”
6. “The culprits of the Adana Massacre were never punished and after 1909, an extreme nationalist
political movement promoting a policy of Pan-Turkism (“Turkey for the Turks”) gained backing
from Turkish populations throughout the Ottoman Empire.”
7. “Armenians were easily identified because they did not wear traditional Turkish clothes, lived in
separate ‘neighborhoods,’ and attended church. Their rituals and traditions were obviously different
from the Muslim Turks of the Ottoman Empire.”
8. “By the spring of 1915, leaders of the ruling party, the CUP, seized the opportunity of a world
preoccupied by war to erase the Armenian presence from almost all Ottoman lands. The CUP was a
triumvirate led by Mehmet Talaat, Ismail Enver, and Ahmed Jemal.”
9. “Beginning on April 24, 1915 (now commemorated as the beginning of the Armenian genocide),
Armenian civil leaders, intellectuals, doctors, businessmen, and artists were rounded up and killed.
Once these leaders of the Armenian communities were killed, the genocide plan was put into
motion throughout the empire.”
10. “Russians had advocated for Armenian reforms in the past and because the Russian army did
have Armenians serving as soldiers, the Ottoman government was concerned that Ottoman
Armenians might commit traitorous acts. This fear helped to fuel Turkish public sentiment against
Armenians.”
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ANSWER KEY
Classification
“[An] early Christian identity has greatly influenced Armenian culture, setting it apart from most
of its neighboring peoples.”
Symbolization
“Armenians were easily identified because they did not wear traditional Turkish clothes, lived in
separate ‘neighborhoods,’ and attended church. Their rituals and traditions were obviously different
from the Muslim Turks of the Ottoman Empire.”
Discrimination
“The Armenians were second-class citizens of the Ottoman Empire and while they were granted
some freedoms, including the ability to practice Christianity, they were faced with extra taxes and
discriminatory laws extending to their participation in the justice system, government, and their
civil and property rights.”
Dehumanization
“Russians had advocated for Armenian reforms in the past and because the Russian army did have
Armenians serving as soldiers, the Ottoman government was concerned that Ottoman Armenians
might commit traitorous acts. This fear helped to fuel Turkish public sentiment against Armenians.”
Organization
“By the spring of 1915, leaders of the ruling party, the CUP, seized the opportunity of a world
preoccupied by war to erase the Armenian presence from almost all Ottoman lands. The CUP was a
triumvirate led by Mehmet Talaat, Ismail Enver, and Ahmed Jemal.”
Polarization
“The culprits of the Adana Massacre were never punished and after 1909, an extreme nationalist
political movement promoting a policy of Pan-Turkism (“Turkey for the Turks”) gained backing
from Turkish populations throughout the Ottoman Empire.”
Preparation
“Beginning on April 24, 1915 (now commemorated as the beginning of the Armenian genocide),
Armenian civil leaders, intellectuals, doctors, businessmen, and artists were rounded up and killed.
Once these leaders of the Armenian communities were killed, the genocide plan was put into
motion throughout the empire.”
Persecution
“… CUP leaders sent orders to province leaders to gather women and children and either load them
onto trains headed for the Syrian Desert or lead them on forced marches into the desert. Embarking
with little food and few supplies, women and children had little hope of survival.”
Extermination
“Within months, the Euphrates and Tigris rivers became clotted with the bodies of Armenian
women and children, polluting the water supply for those who had not yet perished. Dysentery and
other diseases were rampant and those who managed to survive the march found themselves in
concentration camps.”
Denial
“Among a series of actions enacted to counter Armenian Genocide recognition and education, the
Turkish government even passed a law in 2004 known as Article 305 which makes it a criminal
offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to discuss the Armenian Genocide.”