What makes nations want to kill off an ethnic group?

Question

I'm currently reading about the Basque people and culture. Apparently at various times, both the Spanish government and the French government have tried to suppress both Basque linguistic and cultural identity..

What the h**l makes nations want to do that? And this question doesn't just apply to the Basque culture, it applies to all culture minorities that have been suppessed.

Answer 1

I think it is a matter of creating an useful enemy. Enemies give cause for protection. The more the government can convince you that you need its protection then the more dependent you become. It is this societal dependency on government that helps create an environment that is needed to oppress the peoples of any nation.

Answer 2

I think it is because of the animal nature of humans. By nature, humans are very competitive. By suppressing other races, their own race becomes more powerful and more able to win the 'competition' which is life. It is also a survival tactic, because making another race weaker makes yours stronger and therefore more likely to survive.

Answer 3

In order for anyone insecure to feel good, they must eliminate anything that is not "them".  This way, there is nothing to compare the insecure loser's life against and he becomes the best at everything...because there is no competition.

Hate comes from ignorance.  Education is our savior!

Answer 4

Humans are a competitive species. Everyone wants to be superior and everyone will do whatever it'll take to get there.

And some countries are infamous as well. Like the Iraqis wanted to kill the Americans just becuase they believed we were "unholy".