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The Great Trek and Blood River (Enrichment)

The Great Trek, the Battle of Blood River and the Vow, and why we study both sides. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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The trek

Unhappy withBritishpolicyFamiliesmove by oxwagonConflictover land inthe interiorNew Boerrepublics
The trek led to new Boer republics inland.
  • At Mosega (1837) the Voortrekkers attacked the Ndebele under Mzilikazi.
  • A mission station was where missionaries lived, taught, preached and gave medical help.
  • Was the trek brave or reckless? Historians differ; both views exist. Different groups remember it differently, so we study both sides.
Ox wagons crossing the Drakensberg.
Ox wagons crossing the Drakensberg.
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Remember this: your summary
  • The Voortrekkers trekked north and east in the 1830s, away from British rule: they wanted to govern themselves.
  • Leaders like Piet Retief (who went to Dingane) and Andries Pretorius; Dingane was the Zulu king.
  • A laager (wagons in a circle) was a defensive wall; many crossed the Drakensberg.
  • The Battle of Blood River: 16 December 1838, between the Voortrekkers and the Zulu; the Vow was a promise before the battle.
  • 16 December is now the Day of Reconciliation, a day for all South Africans; it also marks Zulu losses.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

16-12-1838: once the Day of the Vow, now Reconciliation Day — one day, many memories.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

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Test yourself · Part 2

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    Follows CAPS for Grade 7 Social Sciences (History). Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.

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