Benjamin Franklin's Political Cartoon and Its Impact

Benjamin Franklin, owner of the Philadelphia Gazette, created a political cartoon in 1754 featuring a severed rattlesnake and the words 'Join or Die' to encourage colonial unity against France during the French and Indian War. Twelve years later, as tensions with Britain rose, Franklin republished the cartoon to unite the colonies against British rule. The image became a powerful symbol, widely reproduced in newspapers, and played a significant role in rallying the colonies together for the American Revolution.

What was the primary purpose of Benjamin Franklin's political cartoon when it was first published in 1754?

• To criticize the British monarchy

• To encourage the colonies to unite against France

• To promote independence from Britain

• To advertise the Philadelphia Gazette

What did the severed rattlesnake in Franklin's cartoon symbolize?

• The French territories

• The British monarchy

• The Philadelphia Gazette

• The British American colonies

Why did Franklin republish the cartoon 12 years later?

• To celebrate the end of the French and Indian War

• To promote his newspaper

• To encourage colonial unity against British rule

• To support the British against France

What was Franklin's hope for the impact of the cartoon's imagery and words during the American Revolution?

• To divide the colonies further

• To unite the colonies against the British

• To gain support from France

• To sell more newspapers

How did the cartoon influence the colonies during the American Revolution?

• It caused confusion among the colonies

• It became a rallying cry for unity

• It led to the colonies supporting the British

• It was ignored by most colonies

What was the outcome of the colonies' unity as influenced by the cartoon?

• A peaceful resolution with Britain

• A division among the colonies

• A successful revolution against British rule

• A stronger alliance with France