---
title: World History II Unpacks Imperialism through Political Cartoons and Poetry
description: Moravian Academy World History II students thought critically and creatively about the role of imperialism through poetry and political cartoons.
---

[Comenius Corner - Moravian Academy](https://blog.moravianacademy.org/blog)

# [World History II Unpacks Imperialism through Political Cartoons and Poetry](https://blog.moravianacademy.org/blog/world-history-ii-unpacks-imperialism-through-political-cartoons-and-poetry)

 Written by [Katherine Burd '96 & Joshua Sanville](https://blog.moravianacademy.org/blog/author/katherine-burd-96-joshua-sanville) | May 3, 2024 1:07:04 PM

After analyzing several sets of political cartoons to learn about critiques of European imperialism, tenth graders in Mr. Sanville’s World History II class created their own political cartoons to demonstrate their understanding of European imperialism in a region of their choice. 

**“Consequences of British Imperialism” by Elias Powell ‘26  (China)**

In honor of National Poetry Month and to deepen our understanding of our curriculum, 10th graders in Ms. Burd's class were tasked to create a "Found Poem" from the PDF they used to learn about South Africa and Apartheid, titled, “Freedom in our Lifetime: South Africa’s Struggle” by [The Choices Program at Brown University](https://www.choices.edu/). Here are three examples. 

“A Death-blow from a Goodwilled Monster” by Daaniyah Anas '26, Laura Li '26, Avery Shear '26, and Sarah Suhail '26

Forbidden is the peaceful heathendom,

A fulfilling life too naive to imagine. 

Warnings of deadly turmoil lie constantly in the 

Shadows.

 

Dismantled is the resistance of the masses,

Disillusioned of a pure myth of calm. 

 

The foundation of a system 

A despotic monster,

Hidden in quiet.  

 

Soon, the banishment of malicious tension.

The final deathblow of 

a goodwilled monster.

 

 

**“Under The Name, Africa” by Camden Luftig '26, Daniyal Jali '26, Iosif Zavilevich '26, and Logan Brown '26**

Once under one name, “Africa”

divided not just by borders, but by colors

 

Robbed of our rights, standing together

Hoping to see the light once more

We fight

Invisible chains, hold us down

We won't die in vain

 

Alone, we're powerless

Together, there’s a chance.

Freedom; at the tip of our fingers, yet still so far

 

Still divided, we strive to stand as one,

not as white or black, but as humans

Under the name, Africa

 

“They Said” by Kyara Maeding '26

They only wanted Good Hope, they said

Just a small stop from sea

 

They just wanted to have a little land, they said

Only some place to stay

 

They only wanted some farmland, they said

Just some space to provide for themselves

 

They just wanted more land, they said

Only to raise their own

 

They only wanted more, they said

Taking everything we had

 

It’s what’s rightfully ours, they said

As they invaded our land

 

When we cry out

We only want our rights to being

They tell us we’re asking too much

 

You brought this upon yourselves, they said

As more of our kin dropped to the ground, dead

 

When they finally leave, our homes a wreck

They look and say

How did they become such a mess?

[View full post](https://blog.moravianacademy.org/blog/world-history-ii-unpacks-imperialism-through-political-cartoons-and-poetry)

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