History

49 Zimbabwe A Level History Revision Questions

1. “Portuguese and Arabic written records are the only reliable sources in the reconstruction of pre-colonial Zimbabwean history.” Assess the validity of this assertion.
2. Assess the contributions of oral tradition, archeology and written records towards the discovery of Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history [Nov 2005]
3. With reference to the Gokomere, Ziwa Leopard’s kopje cultures, explain how early Zimbabwe societies improved their technology. [Nov 2005]
4. In what ways did the use of iron transform the economic and social bases of early societies in pre- colonial Zimbabwe? [Nov 2005]
5. Assess the validity of the assertion that the Great Zimbabwe state relied on agriculture and cattle as the main basis of its economy. [Nov 2005]

6. To what extent did trade contribute to the decline of Great Zimbabwe?
7. Analyze the economic and social activities of the people of Great Zimbabwe?
8. Critically evaluate the Arabic and Portuguese written sources referring to Great Zimbabwe and the Mutapa State before 1570.
9. Discuss the archaeological evidence for the Early Iron Age in Zimbabwe. What does the period represents in social, economic and political terms?
10. “The historical value of Oral Tradition in the study of pre-colonial Zimbabwean history remains questionable unless it is used alongside with other sources.” How far true is this assertion?
11. With reference to the movements of the Shona in Zimbabwe up to 1000AD critically examine the theories of migration and diffusion.
12. Some historians have claimed that during the Iron Age period the means of production and productive relations changed substantially around 1000AD in Zimbabwe. What archaeological evidence supports this assertion? [Nov 2006]
13. Evaluate the utility of Rock Art as a class of archaeological data.
14. With reference to the San, estimate the extent to which the present Zimbabwean societies have benefited from the San’s way of life.
15. Examine the various theories that have been put forward by scholars to explain the builders of Great Zimbabwe.
16. What crafts were developed during the middle part of the Iron Age [700-1100]? Explain why demand for these crafts increased.

17. What do archaeologists today know about Great Zimbabwe? What more do we need to know?
18. “Wealth in cattle, trade goods and metal production led to the growth of states in the Middle Iron Age.” Assess the validity of this assertion.
19. “The movement of gold trade to the north from the Lundi and Sabi to the Zambezi fully explains the decline of Great Zimbabwe.” Discuss.
20. How important is rock art in the reconstruction of the history of the Late Stone Age period in Zimbabwe
21. “Like Toutswe, drought and overgrazing led to famine for cattle and people.” Is this a convincing explanation for the decline of Great Zimbabwe?
22. “The origins and date of Great Zimbabwe were a great mystery.” Discuss.
23. “It is clear from the evidence we have that the Great Zimbabwe walls were purely for religious functions.” How accurate is this assessment?
24. What were the economic, political and social features of the state of Mapungubwe? Explain why the state declined in the period from 1200-1300.
25. Discuss the various ways found by archaeologists in which the Early Iron Age cultures of Zimbabwe continued into the Later Iron Age.
26. What can archaeology tell us about life in the Early and Later Iron Ages? What can it not tell us?
27. Discuss the growth of patriarchy in the Later Stone Age and Early Iron Age societies in Zimbabwe. Did women and children suffer?
28. Discuss the economic, political and social features of the hunter-gatherer communities in Zimbabwe in the Late Stone Age period.
29. What were the main features of the Iron Age cultures at
[a] Leopard’s Kopje
[b] Gokomere
[c] Ziwa
[d] Mabveni

30. How do we know that the people of Great Zimbabwe were involved in the regional and inter-regional trade?
31. Why do you think Great Zimbabwe may have had religious and military importance?
32. How did livestock keeping and agriculture make people live a more settled life?
33. How was the growth of states in the later Iron Age related to trade and religion?
34. Critically examine the methods that have been used to recover Zimbabwe’s pre-colonial history.[Nov 2003]
35. Assess the validity of the assertion that archaeology is the only source of historical evidence for the Late Stone and Early Iron Age periods in Zimbabwe?
36. “The Leopard’s Kopje culture in Western Zimbabwe and adjacent regions of Botswana and South Africa marked the emergence of chiefdom and state societies in the region.” Do you agree with this statement?
37. Explain the reasons for the decline of Great Zimbabwe in the 15th century.
38. Identify and assess the economic, social and political changes, which occurred in Zimbabwe during the Early and Later Iron Ages? [Nov 2003]
39. What evidence is there to show that Great Zimbabwe participated in regional and interregional trade? [Nov 2003]
40. Explain how hunting and gathering influenced the way of life of the early Shona communities in Zimbabwe. [Nov 2004]
41. Compare and contrast the lives of the Later Stone age and Iron Age communities in Zimbabwe. [Nov 2004]
42. How far true is the assertion that trade was solely responsible for the rise and growth of the state centred at Great Zimbabwe?
43. Examine critically the reasons for the rise and fall of the Great Zimbabwe? [Nov 2003]
44. Using appropriate examples from pre-colonial Zimbabwe, argue for the importance of rock art as a class of archaeological data.

45. Analyse the three controversies related to the origins and rise of Great Zimbabwe. [Nov 2006]
46. What factors explain the emergence and decline of the state of Mapungubwe?
47. Why is it necessary to use a multi-disciplinary approach in the study of pre-colonial Zimbabwean history?
48. “Art for art’s sake.” Is this a useful interpretation of the rock art of the Late Stone Age in Zimbabwe?
49. “A typical example of a cultural conquest of the conquerors by the vanquished.” Is this a fair assessment of Ndebele-Shona relations.