History Grade 12 ATP 2026: Annual Teaching Plan & Curriculum Breakdown

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The Grade 12 History curriculum is a powerful exploration of the global and local events that shaped the modern world. From the ideological battles of the Cold War to the intense struggle for democracy in South Africa, the 2026 syllabus requires learners to engage critically with evidence and construct logical arguments.

This guide outlines the 2026 History Annual Teaching Plan (ATP), providing a structured roadmap of the source-based topics and essay questions you need to master for the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

History Grade 12 ATP 2026

The curriculum is strictly divided into two examination papers. Paper 1 focuses on international history (Cold War, Africa, Civil Rights), while Paper 2 focuses on South African history and the new world order.

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Term 1: The Cold War, Independent Africa & Civil Rights

Focus: The first term covers the clash of superpowers, the decolonization of Africa, and the fight for human rights in the USA.

  • Weeks 1–3: The Cold War (Origins & Extension)
    • Origins: The end of WWII, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the Berlin Crisis (1949–1961).
    • Extension (Case Study – Vietnam): The struggle between South Vietnam and communist rebels (Viet Cong), USA involvement (1965–1969), and the eventual USA withdrawal (1969–1975).
      • Weeks 4–7: Independent Africa (Case Studies)
    • The Congo: Independence, the legacy of colonialism, and the political/economic challenges faced by leaders like Mobutu Sese Seko.
    • Angola: The outbreak of civil war in 1974 (MPLA, FNLA, UNITA) and the involvement of foreign powers (USSR, USA, Cuba, South Africa). The significance of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (1987–1988) is a key focus.
  • Weeks 8–10: Civil Society Protests (1950s–1970s)
    • US Civil Rights Movement: The role of Martin Luther King Jr., forms of civil disobedience (Montgomery bus boycott, sit-ins, Selma marches), and school desegregation (Little Rock).
    • * **Black Power Movement:** Reasons for the movement, the Black Panther Party, and figures like **Malcolm X** and Stokely Carmichael.

Term 1 Assessments

  • Task 1: Source-based & Essay Task (100 Marks) covering the Cold War and Vietnam.
  • Task 2: Standardised Test (100 Marks).
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Term 2: Civil Resistance in South Africa & Democracy

Focus: The second term shifts to the intense internal struggle against Apartheid and the eventual birth of a democratic South Africa.

  • Weeks 1–3: Civil Resistance (1970s–1980s)
    • Black Consciousness: The role of Steve Biko, the philosophy of Black Consciousness, and the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
    • Crisis of Apartheid (1980s): P.W. Botha’s reforms (Tricameral Parliament), growing trade union power, and mass mobilisation by the UDF and Mass Democratic Movement.
  • Weeks 4–7: The Coming of Democracy
    • Negotiated Settlement (1990–1994): The release of Nelson Mandela, unbanning of organizations, CODESA negotiations, and the ongoing violence.
    • The Outcome: The 1994 election and the Government of National Unity (GNU).
      • Week 8: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
    • The reasons for the TRC, debates over amnesty vs. justice, and the focus on victims and perpetrators.

Term 2 Assessments

  • Task 3: Research Assignment (100 Marks).
  • Task 4: June Examination (Paper 1 & Paper 2) – 150 Marks each.

Term 3: The New World Order & Exam Prep

Focus: The third term connects the end of the Cold War to South Africa’s transition and introduces global economics.

  • Weeks 1–3: End of the Cold War & A New World Order
    • 1989 Events: Gorbachev’s reforms (Glasnost and Perestroika), the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
    • Impact: How the collapse of the USSR influenced South Africa’s political turning point.
  • Weeks 4–5: Globalisation
    • Defining globalisation, the dominance of global capitalism, and emerging economies like BRICS.
  • Weeks 6–11: Intensive Revision
    • Revision of essay writing skills (PEEL method) and source-based extraction/interpretation.
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Term 3 Assessments

  • Task 5: Standardised Test 2 (100 Marks).
  • Task 6: Preparatory / Trial Examination (Paper 1 & Paper 2) – 150 Marks each.

Term 4: Final Assessment

Focus: The final term is dedicated to revision and the external NSC examinations.

  • Final Assessment:NSC Final Examinations (2 Papers).
    • Paper 1 (International History): 150 Marks.
    • Paper 2 (South African History): 150 Marks.

FAQ: History Grade 12

Q: Which topics are Essay Questions vs. Source-Based Questions? A:

  • Paper 1:
    • Source-Based: Cold War (Origins), Independent Africa (Angola), Civil Rights Movement.
    • Essays: Vietnam, The Congo, Black Power Movement.
  • Paper 2:
    • Source-Based: Crisis of Apartheid (1980s), TRC, End of Cold War (Globalisation).
    • Essays: Black Consciousness, Negotiated Settlement, End of Cold War (1989).

Q: What is the “Battle of Cuito Cuanavale” and why is it important? A: It is a critical case study in the Independent Africa topic (Term 1). You must understand its significance in changing the balance of power in Southern Africa and leading to Namibian independence.

Q: How do I structure a History essay? A: Use the PEEL method: Point, Explanation, Evidence (historical facts), and Link (back to the question). Your essay must have a clear introduction with a line of argument, a body of evidence, and a conclusion.

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