BOTSWANA EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education
CANDIDATE
NAME
CENTRE CANDIDATE
NUMBER NUMBER
HISTORY 1454/01
Paper 1 Theory For Examination from 2025
SPECIMEN PAPER
2 hours 30 minutes
Candidates answer on the Question Paper
Additional Materials: No additional materials required
INSTRUCTIONS
• Answer one question from each Module.
• You should answer four questions in total.
• Write your candidate name, Centre number and candidate number in the spaces provided at the top
of this page and on all work you hand in.
• Write in dark blue or black pen.
• Answer all the questions in the Answer Booklet attached.
• Write the question number in the left-hand margin.
• Do not write on any barcodes.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
This document consists of 20 printed pages.
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Answer one question from each Module.
MODULE 1: EXPLORE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF HISTORY
1 There are multiple conceptions and sources of history.
(a) Describe any two meanings given to the term ‘history’. [4]
(b) Explain any two strengths of primary sources of historical information. [6]
(c) ‘Secondary sources are not useful sources of historical information’. How far do agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. [10]
2 There are different theories on the origins of humankind.
(a) Describe any two major aspects of the Tswana cultural explanation of the origins of
humankind. [4]
(b) Explain any two limitations of the Christian explanation of the origins of humankind. [6]
(c) ‘The following factors are equally important in making the theory of evolution a convincing
explanation of the origins of humankind:
(i) scientific evidence;
(ii) fossil evidence;
(iii) archaeological evidence.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer referring to (i), (ii) and (iii) above. [10]
MODULE 2: EXAMINE THE DEVELOPMENTS IN PRE-INDEPENDENCE BOTSWANA FROM 1800
to 1966
3 The British unilaterally declared a protectorate over the lands of the Batswana in 1885.
(a) Describe any two reasons for the British declaration of a protectorate over the lands of
Batswana in 1885. [4]
(b) Explain any two reasons why Khama III was in favour of British protection in 1885. [6]
(c) ‘The desire to stop the transfer of the lands of Batswana to the British South Africa Company
was the main reason for the visit of the three Batswana dikgosi to England in 1895’. How far
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer using two other reasons and the one
stated. [10]
4 There were increased calls for independence by Batswana after World War II.
(a) Describe any two reasons for the split of the Bechuanaland Peoples’ Party in 1962. [4]
(b) Explain any two reasons for the rise of nationalism in Bechuanaland between the 1940’s and
1960’s [6]
(c) ‘The formation of the Legislative Council in 1960 was the most important factor in speeding
up the granting of independence to Bechuanaland in 1966’. How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer using two other factors and the one stated. [10]
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MODULE 3: ANALYSE DEVELOPMENTS IN POST-INDEPENCE BOTSWANA
5 Significant socio-economic and political changes took place in Botswana after
independence.
(a) Describe any two political changes that took place in Botswana after independence. [4]
(b) Explain any two ways in which Professor Serara Khupe-Mogwe contributed to Botswana’s
socio-economic development after independence. [6]
(c) ‘The establishment of national parks on land owned by minority groups has benefited the
minority groups.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [10]
6 Mining brought significant developments to the lives of Batswana.
(a) Describe any two ways in which the mining of iron influenced the lifestyle of Toutswemogala
people. [4]
(b) Explain any two aspects of the Mines and Minerals Act of 1999. [6]
(c) ‘The mining of diamonds brought only benefits to Batswana’. How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. [10]
MODULE 4: EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF SLAVERY, COLONIALISM AND RACE RELATIONS
7 Pan Africanism seeks to promote solidarity between Africans worldwide.
(a) Describe any two factors which contributed to the birth of Pan Africanism. [4]
(b) Explain any two ways through which Pan Africanism was understood in the Diaspora. [6]
(c) ‘The following Pan Africanists contributed equally to the independence of African countries
during the 1960s:
(i) Kwame Nkrumah;
(ii) Kenneth Kaunda;
(iii) Julius Nyerere.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer referring to (i), (ii) and (iii) above. [10]
8 Botswana played a significant role in the liberation of Southern Africa.
(a) Describe any two reasons for the formation of the African National Congress in
South Africa. [4]
(b) Explain any two ways in which Botswana contributed to the liberation of Namibia. [6]
(c) ‘The liberation struggle of Southern Africa had a negative impact on the lives of Batswana.’
How far do you agree with the statement? Explain your answer. [10]
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ANSWER BOOKLET
INSTRUCTIONS
• Write the answers to all the questions you are answering in this Answer Booklet.
• Start each question on a new page.
• Write on both sides of the Answer Booklet.
• Write the question number in the left hand-margin of the Answer Booklet.
• Write the question number of the questions you have answered in the table.
To be completed by the candidate
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possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (BEC) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have
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