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Inside Collection (Course): History Grade 8
South Africa is unbelievably rich in minerals. Minerals like gold, diamonds, platinum and necessary basic metals like copper, tin, iron, lead and zinc make mining and the subsequent job creation, possible. The only other country with a similar variety of minerals and metals, is Russia.
the discovery of Gold and Diamonds in SA
By the middle of the nineteenth century Britain found the territories that she had colonized in South Africa to be an economical drawback. Droughts in the Cape Colony, fights in the Orange Free State with the Basutu, and weak rural markets in the old ZAR (Transvaal) made Britain decide to hand over the government of these territories by signing the Sand River Convention in 1852 with Transvaal and the Bloemfontein Convention in 1854 with the Orange Free State.
The discovering of gold in 1868 north of the Limpopo River, at first drew no attention, because in 1867 the first diamond was found near Hope Town. These alluvial diamonds were found in the silt near rivers. On both sides of the Vaal River more diamonds were found, which caused an influx of miners. The miners were unable to reach an agreement about their rights with President Pretorius, the leader of the OFS, and declared themselves an independent republic at Klipdrift.
During 1870 and 1871 diamonds were discovered further from the Vaal River, first at Dutoitspan (Kimberley) and later at Vooruitzicht. This became known as one of the biggest diamond discoveries in the world and miners from all over the world descended on the diamond fields. Conflict among the different claimants of the diamond bearing areas, the republics, colonies and tribal captains was unavoidable.
Although J.H. Davis had already discovered the first gold of the well-known Witwatersrand in 1852 on a farm near Krugersdorp, he was forced by the ZAR Government to keep quiet about it. Other gold discoveries were made, like the find by Walker and Harrison on the farm Langlaagte. Only in 1886 it became clear that this discovery was the important main reef of the Witwatersrand.
The town of Johannesburg developed on the farm Randjeslaagte. Transporters could no longer cope with taking people and goods to and from the mines, so railway lines were built. In 1892 Johannesburg was connected to Cape Town by rail; and in 1895 to Durban.
a) Write the words TIME-LINE and the topic of the time line, on top.
b) First ARRANGE the DATES in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
c) Then WRITE down the DATES beneath one another.
d) Now FILL in the ACTIONS that corresponds to each date, next to the date. Make sure that every fact is complete.
SOURCE AHeinemann International Student’s Dictionary:
carat 1. a unit of measurements for the weight of precious stones, equal to 0.2 grams. 2. a unit of measurement for the purity of gold. Pure gold is 24 carats.
SOURCE B
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1. Compare these two sources.
1.1 Write down any fact from one of these two sources that will still be true in your opinion in five years time./2/
1.2 Which of the two sources do you believe? /1/
1.3 Give a reason for your previous answer. /2/
2. A dictionary is a secondary source, because it puts different information from different sources together. A primary source is an original piece of work, like a painter’s painting or a person’s diary.
2.1 What type of source is Source B? /1/
2.2 Give a reason for your answer. /2/
3. Jewellers often mix gold with iron when making a ring.
3.1 Why do they do that? /2/
/10/
Learning outcomes (LOs)
LO 1
Historical Enquiry
The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate the past and present.
Assessment standards(ASs)
We know this when the learner:
1.1 continues to identify and select a variety of historical and archaeological sources relevant to an inquiry [finds sources];
1.2 evaluates the sources used (e.g. “Who created the source?”, “Is it reliable?”, “How useful is the information”) [works with sources];
1.3 interprets graphical and statistical sources [works with sources];
1.4 presents an original idea as part of an answer to questions posed [answers the question];
1.5 communicates knowledge and understanding by constructing own interpretation and argument based on the historical sources (including extended writing, artwork, graphics and drama); uses
information technology where available and appropriate [communicates the answer].
LO 2
Historical knowledge and understanding
The learner will be able to demonstrate historical knowledge and understanding.
We know this when the learner:
2.1 begins to make links between historical events and processes in different contexts in the same period [chronology and time];
2.2 recognises the cause and effects of events vary in importance [cause and effect];
2.3 explains changes in a wider historical and environmental context [change and continuity].
LO 3
Historical Interpretation
The learner will be able to interpret aspects of history.
We know this when the learner:
3.1 examines historical interpretation by asking relevant questions about the author of an historical source [source interpretation];
3.3 explains why history is not objective or neutral [source interpretation];
3.4 recognises that sense of identity may influence the events in the past are interpreted [influence on interpretation];
3.5 describes main features and uses of material remains of the past in a given context [representation of the past];
3.6 explains the importance of conserving our natural and cultural heritage (e.g. objects, buildings, heritage sites) [representation of the past].
Activity 1:
TIME LINE : THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD AND DIAMONDS IN SAOR : EVENTS ON THE SA DIAMOND AND GOLD FIELDS
1852 : J.H. Davis discovers the first gold deposits on a farm near Krugersdorp.
1852 : Britain returns the Transvaal to the Transvalers with the signing of the Sand River Convention.
1854 : British control of the Orange Free State comes to an end with the signing of the Bloemfontein Convention by Britain and the Orange Free State.
1867: The first diamond is discovered near Hopetown.
1868 : Gold is discovered at Tati, north of the Limpopo.
1870 : Diamonds are discovered at Dutoitspan, later known as Kimberley.
1871 : Diamonds discovered at Vooruitzicht, another dry diggings.
1886 : Walker and Harrison’s find at Langlaagte becomes known as the main gold reef of the Witwatersrand.
1892 : Johannesburg linked by rail with Cape Town.
1895 : Johannesburg linked by rail with Durban.
Activity 2: SOURCE A and B
1.1 Any example from Source A, e.g. “24 carat gold is pure (100%) gold.”
1.2 Source A
1.3 The information is reliable, it has been the subject of research. OR: Dictionaries are reliable sources.
2.1 A primary source
2.2 An advertisement is an original source, just like an eyewitness report.
3. The ring would not show scratches as easily. The ring is cheaper. /10/
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Last edited by Siyavula Uploaders on Apr 10, 2009 4:10 pm -0500.