Which countries have the most brutal and horrific history?

 It is challenging to label specific countries as having the "most brutal and horrific history" as the assessment of historical events often involves complex factors, diverse perspectives, and varying interpretations. Additionally, many nations have faced periods of turmoil, conflict, and human suffering. However, some countries have experienced particularly devastating events. Here are a few examples:

1. **Germany:** The Nazi regime in Germany during World War II led to the genocide known as the Holocaust, resulting in the systematic extermination of six million Jews and millions of others. The war itself caused immense suffering and loss of life.

2. **Cambodia:** Under the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), led by Pol Pot, Cambodia experienced mass killings, forced labor, and genocide. An estimated 1.7 million people, or a quarter of the population, perished due to execution, forced labor, or starvation.

3. **Soviet Union (USSR):** The Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin's rule, witnessed widespread purges, forced collectivization, and mass famines in the 1930s. The Great Purge alone resulted in millions of deaths.

4. **Rwanda:** In 1994, Rwanda faced one of the most rapid and brutal genocides in history, where an estimated 800,000 people, primarily of the Tutsi ethnic group, were killed within a span of 100 days.

5. **China:** The Great Leap Forward (1958–1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) in China, both under the leadership of Mao Zedong, caused widespread famine, political persecution, and significant loss of life.

6. **Iraq:** Iraq has faced various periods of conflict, including the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), the Gulf War (1990–1991), and the Iraq War (2003–2011), resulting in significant human suffering and casualties.

7. **South Africa (Apartheid):** The institutionalized system of racial segregation and discrimination known as apartheid, which existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s, resulted in significant human rights abuses and societal divisions.

It's crucial to approach discussions about a country's history with sensitivity and acknowledge that historical narratives can be complex and subject to interpretation. Additionally, many nations have worked towards reconciliation, healing, and addressing historical injustices in the aftermath of such dark periods.