History Grade 8 Term 3 2024 Question Paper

ⓘ Below are All Questions explained answers by CAPS AI (supervised by History Teachers)

QUESTION 1: THE SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA – ASHANTI KINGDOM

1.1 The language spoken by the Ashanti is Akan.
Explanation: The source states that the Ashanti were a subgroup of the Akan-speaking people.

1.2 The Ashanti Empire grew out of war and dislocations caused by European demand for gold.
Explanation: The source explains that European interest in gold deposits led to conflicts, which disrupted local chiefdoms and contributed to the formation of the Ashanti Empire.

1.3 A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or rules according to which a state is governed.
Explanation: In the source, the Asantehene created a constitution to unify and organize the Ashanti Empire.

1.4 The name of the new cultural festival was Odwira.
Explanation: The source mentions that the Asantehene created Odwira as a new cultural festival symbolizing unity.

1.5 The Golden Stool was important because it represented the ancestors and unity of the Ashanti people.
Explanation: According to the source, it symbolized the soul of the nation and was regarded as sacred.

QUESTION 2: YAA ASANTEWAA AND THE ASHANTI REBELLION

2.1 The British Governor of the Gold Coast was Frederick Hodgson.
Explanation: The source clearly identifies him as the one who demanded the Golden Stool.

2.2 The secret meeting was held to discuss how to secure the return of their king.
Explanation: The members of the council were concerned after the king had been deported.

2.3 Asantewaa was forced to speak because the male chiefs were reluctant to fight, and she wanted to encourage resistance.
Explanation: Her words show frustration with the chiefs’ fear and hesitation to defend their kingdom.

2.4 “The bravery of Asante is no more” meant that the chiefs had lost their courage, unlike their ancestors who defended the kingdom.
Explanation: Asantewaa felt that the current generation of leaders had become cowardly.

2.6

• Source 2A shows Asantewaa speaking boldly and leading the fight, proving the Ashanti resisted British control.

• Source 2B shows her image as a warrior queen, visually confirming her leadership and bravery.

• Explanation: Both sources reinforce each other. Source 2A provides the story and Source 2B the visual proof of her role in resisting colonisation.

QUESTION 3: ASANTEHENE OSIE TUTU IN 2009

3.1 The photo shows that Ashanti royalty and traditions still exist and are respected today.
Explanation: Even though Ghana is a republic, traditional leaders like the Asantehene are still honoured.

3.2 The celebration was important because it reminded the Ashanti people of their cultural heritage, unity, and pride.
Explanation: It keeps the legacy of their past alive and strengthens community identity.

QUESTION 4: PARAGRAPH QUESTION

4.1 European colonisation of Africa in the late 19th century was largely driven by economic motives. European powers sought new sources of raw materials such as gold, rubber, cotton, and minerals to fuel their growing industries. Africa also provided new markets for manufactured goods produced in Europe. Additionally, colonisation offered opportunities for investment and cheap labour. As competition between European nations grew, controlling African resources became essential for economic strength and national wealth during the Industrial Revolution.

Key Points from the Paragraph:

1. Search for Raw Materials – Africa had valuable resources like gold, rubber, cotton, and minerals.

2. New Markets – Europe needed markets to sell its manufactured goods.

3. Cheap Labour – Colonisation provided access to inexpensive African labour.

4. Investment Opportunities – Africa offered profitable areas for European investment.

5. Industrial Revolution – European industries needed resources to continue growing.

6. Economic Competition – European nations competed for wealth and power through African resources.

QUESTION 5: ESSAY QUESTION (Outline)

Topic: Colonisation had an overwhelming negative impact on African societies.

Colonisation had an overwhelming negative impact on African societies – Agree

Colonisation undeniably had an overwhelming negative impact on African societies, with long-lasting effects that continue to shape the continent today. While some argue that colonial rule brought certain developments such as infrastructure and Western education, these came at the expense of African autonomy, cultural heritage, economic stability, and human dignity.

One of the most significant negative impacts was the loss of sovereignty. European powers carved up Africa during the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 without any African input, dividing communities and forcing artificial borders that ignored existing ethnic, linguistic, and cultural boundaries. This has led to numerous post-independence conflicts and civil wars, as seen in Rwanda, Nigeria, and Sudan, where colonial-era divisions sowed seeds of discord among groups.

Economically, colonisation disrupted traditional economies and imposed exploitative systems that benefitted colonial powers. Africans were often forced into labor, working on plantations, mines, and railways under harsh conditions for meagre wages. Resources such as gold, diamonds, and rubber were extracted and exported to enrich Europe, leaving African economies dependent and underdeveloped. The Congo Free State under King Leopold II of Belgium stands out as an extreme case, where millions of Congolese died due to forced labor and brutal treatment during rubber extraction.

Culturally and socially, colonisation attempted to erase African identity. Colonial governments and missionaries often portrayed African customs, religions, and knowledge systems as inferior or barbaric. Traditional leadership structures were undermined or co-opted, and Western education was used to train Africans for subordinate roles in the colonial administration. The legacy of this cultural suppression is still visible today in the struggle for the recognition and revival of African languages and traditions.

Furthermore, colonisation laid the groundwork for economic inequality and underdevelopment. The colonial model was extractive, not developmental. It did not aim to build self-sufficient African nations but rather to serve European interests. Post-independence, many African states inherited weak institutions, economies geared toward export of raw materials, and political systems shaped by divide-and-rule tactics, which have contributed to instability and corruption.

In conclusion, while some infrastructural and educational gains were made under colonial rule, these cannot outweigh the severe political, economic, and cultural damage inflicted on African societies. The overwhelming evidence shows that colonisation was a system of exploitation and control that continues to impact Africa negatively today.

Key Points from the Essay:

1. Loss of Sovereignty and Arbitrary Borders

   • berlin conference 1884–1885

   • artificial borders

   • post-independence conflicts 
     – rwanda
     – nigeria
     – sudan

2. Economic Exploitation

   • exploitative systems

   • forced labour
     – plantations
     – mines
     – infrastructure

   • wealth and natural resources (extracted for European benefit)
     
     congo free state under king leopold II – millions died.

3. Cultural Suppression

   • african religions, languages, and traditions devalued or erased.

   • western education and religion imposed to replace African systems.

   • traditional leadership weakened or manipulated.

4. Long-term Underdevelopment and Inequality

   • colonial economies structured for extraction, not development.

   • Weak institutions inherited after independence

   • political instability and corruption tied to colonial systems.

5. Conclusion

   • Benefits like infrastructure and education were minimal compared to harm.

   • colonisation caused long-lasting damage to African political, economic, and cultural life.