The term genocide was created in the 1940s to describe an action aimed at the destruction of an entire group of people such as a nation an ethnic group or a race. However genocide has occurred throughout human history and unfortunately shows no sign of disappearing today. This book examines examples of genocide from around the world and asks important questions surrounding this most chilling of human crimes Why do ordinary people participate in such inhuman atrocities How can communities stop genocides from occurring The Critical World Issues series explores some of the most controversial and newsworthy subjects in the modern world.