Discuss the factors that contributed to the rise of the Zulu Kindgom.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the factors that contributed to the rise of the Zulu Kingdom. Factors may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the rise of the Zulu Kingdom. Candidates may categorize these into long- and short-term factors or they may group them in terms of the social, political and economic factors that contributed to the rise of the Zulu Kingdom. Additionally or alternatively, they may organise their responses according to internal or external factors. Factors may include the role of leaders such as Shaka and Dingiswayo, the military and regimental system of the Zulu and innovations in tactics and weaponry, the defeat and conquest of neighbouring kingdoms during the Mfecane and the absorption of the populations and economies of these kingdoms, and the emphasis on Zulu cultural and political unity.