Polygence Scholar2025
Ahriyan Anand
Class of 2026
About
Projects
- "How have symbols been misappropriated during major 20th-century wars to serve political and ideological agendas, and what are the long-term effects of these transformations on public memory and national identity?" with mentor Benjamin (Working project)
Project Portfolio
How have symbols been misappropriated during major 20th-century wars to serve political and ideological agendas, and what are the long-term effects of these transformations on public memory and national identity?
Started Apr. 23, 2025
Abstract or project description
This project examines the role of symbolism in wartime propaganda, focusing on how various governments and movements across the 20th century, from World War II to the Cold War and postcolonial conflicts in Asia, redefined cultural, religious, and national symbols to legitimize their actions and shape public perception. By analyzing visual propaganda, political rhetoric, and historical records, the research will highlight how symbols were transformed from traditional or neutral meanings into ideological tools. The paper will also examine the aftereffects of these symbolic shifts on national identity, collective memory, and political discourse in the modern world.