History Grade 12 Exam Guidelines Scope 2026

History Grade 12 Exam Guidelines and Scope for 2026

To achieve excellence in History Grade 12 for the 2026 academic year, learners must develop a balance of critical source analysis and structured historical argumentation. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is pending, these Exam Guidelines provide the definitive roadmap for your revision.

The History curriculum is designed to move beyond simple memorization, requiring you to analyze how global power shifts—like the Cold War—directly impacted the liberation struggles in Africa and the transition to democracy in South Africa.

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Download History Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)

Download the official documents to ensure your study plan is 100% aligned with the 2026 requirements:

• Download History Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (English)
• Download History Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (Afrikaans)

For more support, including essay templates and source-based practice worksheets, visit the My Courses homepage or explore the Grade 12 Study Resources hub.

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Paper 1: Global Conflicts and Civil Rights

Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 150

Paper 1 examines international history and the rise of civil society protests during the 20th century.

Core Topics for Paper 1:

1. The Cold War (Origins): Analysis of the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, and the division of Berlin.
2. Extension of the Cold War (Vietnam): The stages of the war and the impact of USA withdrawal.
3. Independent Africa (Angola & Congo): Case studies on the challenges of independence and Cold War proxy battles.
4. Civil Society Protests (USA): Comparative study of the US Civil Rights Movement (MLK Jr.) and the Black Power Movement (Malcolm X).

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Paper 2: South Africa – Apartheid, Resistance, and Democracy

Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 150

Paper 2 shifts the focus to the internal struggle for liberation in South Africa and the eventual transition to a democratic state.

Core Topics for Paper 2:

1. Civil Resistance (1970s–1980s): The Soweto Uprising, Black Consciousness (Steve Biko), and the role of the UDF and trade unions.
2. The Coming of Democracy (TRC): The negotiations of 1990–1994 and the subsequent Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
3. The End of the Cold War: How Gorbachev’s reforms and the fall of the Berlin Wall accelerated the end of apartheid.
4. New World Order: The disintegration of the USSR and South Africa’s place in the modern global landscape (BRICS).

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Key Requirements for a “Level 7” Result

Success in History requires a mastery of two distinct skill sets:

• Source-Based Analysis (Section A): You must be able to identify bias, evaluate the reliability of a source, and cross-reference information between different documents.
• Historical Essays (Section B): You cannot simply “narrate” a story. You must provide a clear line of argument (LOA) that directly answers the question provided. Use the PEEL method (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) for every paragraph.

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Conclusion: Strategy for 2026 Success

The History Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 emphasize that context is everything. When discussing the Civil Rights Movement, for example, you should be able to explain how it influenced Black Consciousness in South Africa.

Start your preparation early by building a timeline of major 20th-century events and practicing your essay introductions. For the latest 2026 matric calendar updates and expert tips on source analysis, stay tuned to My Courses.