During our first looks at the French and Indian War, we took some time to compare three maps of the East Coast. We considered the names of the 13 British colonies along with the political cartoon with the label, "Join, or Die".
What kind of message is that? Join, or Die? Students wondered if that was a threat, or was is a veiled attempt to unify colonies that did not always agree in a cause to support the English crown.
Benjamin Franklin, creator of the Join, or Die political cartoon (and subsequent flag), depicted the nation as a snake which, if cut into pieces would die. His goal at the time was to encourage support for the British cause during the skirmishes against France. How ironic that just a few years later, he would roust support against the British in the fight for independence!
Benjamin Franklin, creator of the Join, or Die political cartoon (and subsequent flag), depicted the nation as a snake which, if cut into pieces would die. His goal at the time was to encourage support for the British cause during the skirmishes against France. How ironic that just a few years later, he would roust support against the British in the fight for independence!
