How To Draw Join Or Die

The "Join, or Die" illustration was first published in 1754 by Benjamin Franklin every bit a political cartoon for the Pennsylvania Gazette, an early American newspaper.  The cartoon is a representation of all of the British Colonies in a cutting-up segmented rattlesnake, which Franklin described as "the present disunited country of the British Colonies." (Source)

The "Join, or Die" illustration.  (Source)

The letters next to the snake are abbreviations of each colony in geographical order, running south to northward (S Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New England).  Because of this, it can actually be viewed as a map of some sorts.  Georgia and Delaware are not portrayed on it, and the New England colonies are listed together rather than having their split up segments.  Originally, the cartoon was created as a woodcut, which is an illustration carved on a slice of woods.

PURPOSE OF THE FLAG

Ben Franklin'due south goal was to unite the colonies during the French and Indian war, which lasted vii years.  When Franklin published the woodcut, information technology became the commencement political cartoon.  It was based on a superstition, beingness that if a snake was cut in two and the pieces were put together earlier sunset, the snake would return to life. (Source)  The cartoon was recognized for its meaning and many newspapers reprinted the cartoon throughout the colonies.

Franklin expressed in his editorial that the colonies would become stronger if they were united.  As Franklin wrote, "The Confidence of the French in this Undertaking seems well-grounded on the present disunited Land of the British Colonies, and the extreme Difficulty of bringing so many different Governments and Assemblies to agree in any speedy and effectual Measures for our common defence and Security; while our Enemies have the very great Advantage of being under one.  Direction, with one Council, and ane Purse…" (Source)  The text that Franklin wrote explains that the colonies, without unity, would be extremely challenged with then many dissimilar governments, laws, and assemblies.  A union was deemed necessary.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Even though the cartoon was published long before the American Revolution, it certainly did not lose its popularity.  Prior to the Declaration of Independence, the illustration was recycled as a banner promoting independence from Uk.  Many newspapers throughout the colonies reprinted the illustration which promoted the unification of the colonies to create a stronger force against the British Rule.

In a way, the cartoon had 2 very different meanings between the British and the Colonists.  Patriots viewed it every bit a symbol for unity and a fashion to be 1 independent land.  The British Loyalists saw it as a sign of disrespect and a sly, cunning manner to become independent from the British Empire.  In 1774, Paul Revere fitted the cartoon to the front end of the Massachusetts Spy newspaper in order to display a unity against the British Empire.

The drawing was refitted in the meridian of the newspaper, seen attacking a British Dragon.  (Source)

The dragon illustrated in the top of the newspaper was being attacked by the same snake used for the "Join, or Dice" drawing.  Instead of existence split autonomously, the snake was at present drawn as one piece, or 1 whole union of colonies.  In addition, the snake had a "Thousand" at the bottom of information technology, representing Georgia while the abridgement for the New England colonies still remained instead of individual colony labels.

LEGACY OF THE CARTOON

Later the American Revolution, the flag was still used and repurposed.  In fact, the usage of snakes in certain American flags (such as the Gadsden or the FirstNavy Jack) were inspired by the "Join, Or Die" analogy.

Overall, the "Join, or Die" political cartoon played a major function in uniting the Colonies to a Union.

To go on the astonishing legacy of Ben Franklin's "Bring together, or Die" cartoon, lodge a beautiful handcrafted  "Join, or Die" wooden flag from us.

Source: https://www.patriotwood.com/blogs/news/join-or-die-a-symbolic-banner-in-americas-history

Posted by: thompsoncleggen.blogspot.com

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