Grade 10

The curriculum statement is from the Department of Education for the year 2008.

Knowledge focus :

  1. What was the world like in the mid-fifteenth century? (What were the bases of power, power relations, technology, economy and trade?)

    • Africa (Songhay);

    • China (Ming);

    • India (Mogul);

    • Ottoman Empire;

    • the Americas;

    • How were European societies organised at this time?

    • How were Southern African societies (including Zimbabwe) organised in relation to the above societies?

    • What was the impact of conquest, warfare and early colonialism in the Americas (Spain), Africa (Portugal, Holland) and India (France, Britain)?

    • What was the nature of the shifting dominance by Europe of the world – Portugal, Spain, Holland, England?

    • What was the nature of the emerging attitudes to race during this period (e.g. Sarah Baartman)?

  2. Slavery:

    • What was the connection between slavery and the accumulation of wealth during the Industrial Revolution?

    • What was the link between the Atlantic slave trade and racism?

    • The quest for liberty:

    • How did the American War of Independence challenge the old basis of power? Who benefited?

    • The French Revolution and the ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity and individual freedom: What sort of liberty, equality and fraternity was involved? How did the ideas play out in the relationships between the French and other people (e.g. Africa, Haiti)?

    • The ending of slavery in British colonies (e.g. the Caribbean, the Cape Colony) and the USA: What brought about the ending of slavery? What economic causes were there (new needs of an industrialising economy)? How important was the role that slaves played in achieving their freedom? How much freedom did they obtain?

    • In terms of human rights, power and poverty, did American society change after the Civil War?

  3. Industrial Revolution:

    • How did the Industrial Revolution lay the foundations for a new world economic system?

    • How did the Industrial Revolution change society (mass education, trade unionism, civil movements)?

    • What transformations occurred in Southern Africa between 1750 and 1850?
      How did the world change between 1450 and 1850?

    • What are the constructed heritage icons from the period that are celebrated today? For example:

    • How and why has Great Zimbabwe become central to Zimbabwean nationalism?
      What are the critical issues about humans on display (e.g. Sarah Baartman) and the way museums depict humans?

 

Read the topics for: Grade 10