Ace the Florida Civic Literacy Challenge 2025 – Become a Democracy Dynamo!

The captioned political cartoon "Join or Die," created by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, primarily encapsulates the idea of colonial unity against external threats. The visual depiction of a segmented snake represents the American colonies, each piece indicating a separate colony. The message is clear: without unity, they would weaken their collective strength, particularly against British forces and other potential enemies.

While the promotion of forming an independent government is a significant aspect of the colonists' subsequent actions, the cartoon specifically addresses the need for solidarity among the colonies. They recognized that only through a united front could they effectively advocate for their rights and interests against British rule, laying the groundwork for future revolutionary actions. This emphasis on uniting against a common adversary aligns closely with the intent of the cartoon, making it a rallying cry for collaboration and mutual support among the colonies during an era of escalating tensions with Britain.