Cry, the Beloved Country: Understanding the history

Introduction

This WebQuest is designed to help you familiarize yourself with South Africa, apartheid and other issues that you’ll encounter in your reading of Cry, the Beloved Country, one of the most famous pieces of literature in South African history. 

Task

Working in pairs, answer the questions to gain a deeper understanding of the world portrayed in Cry, the Beloved Country. Be sure to go all the way through the tabs to view all parts of the Webquest.

Process

Use the following links to answer the WebQuest questions:

http://africanhistory.about.com/od/apartheid/fl/Apartheid-FAQ-Common-Questions-About-South-Africas-Apartheid-Era.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index_section12.shtml

  • What does the word "apartheid" mean? In what language?  
  • In South Africa, how are people organized according to race?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/12chapter7.shtml

  • When did apartheid become an official government policy in South Africa?
  • What was the purpose of Apartheid?
  • What did the government do at the outset in order to reach that goal?
  • Explain the policy of "separate development" in your own words

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-aparthei.html

Give definitions of the following key terms:

-homeland/Bantustan

-township

-passbook

-labor permit

-curfew regulations

-preventive detention

http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blsalaws.htm

Choose two laws that were created under apartheid and explain them in your own words.

Evaluate the information you have reviewed while answering the questions. Consturct one thoughtful and insightful paragraph detailing your understanding of apartheid and its influence on South Africa. 

Evaluation

  • You will need to turn in one paper per group with your answers.  
  • Use complete sentences, correct grammar, and spelling.
  • Make sure to use your time wisely, because you will only have one class period to complete the assignment.

Conclusion

You now have a good base of knowledge to use while working in your literature circles.  The following video is a snippet from an interview that Alan Paton gave in 1960.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIr7ncx4oSc align:center]

Credits