TOW #5 Join or Die (Ben Franklin)

This political cartoon is considered one of, if not the, most famous political cartoons in American history. It was presented by Ben Franklin in the Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9th, 1754. Ben Franklin was one of America's founding fathers, a polymath who was deeply involved in American politics. This political cartoon was released just before the Albany Congress, the first attempt at American unity before the French and Indian War. Representatives from seven colonies congregated to decided on a united defense against Indians and the French. Ben Franklin was a powerful proponent of intercolonial relations, and used this cartoon to convince colonists that unification was necessary. The cartoon appeals to ethos simply because it was published by one of the leading minds in American society in one of the most popular newspapers in the colonies. It may be considered propaganda, as it relies very heavily on an appeal to pathos. Specifically, it targets a universal fear of death. It narrows the choices of colonists to options, automatically creating an ultimatum for any reader. The idea of death is terrifying, especially to those who face danger from the French, Indians, disease, hunger, and several other pressures of the 18th century. Why a snake? Franklin may be alluding to the Bible, saying that the US is a snake that could serve as the downfall of France (and later England), just as the Devil did to Eve in the Bible. It may mean something completely different, however, as there was a common myth in colonial America concerning a snake. A snake, chopped into segments, was believed to have the ability to revive itself its body parts were all connected together. This then proposes a logical argument and metaphor, that America can join together and be revived, or its many individual parts will perish. Because this cartoon has become so famous, and has been used in several situations where a united America is needed, I think it is clearly effective. It relies heavily on pathos, but I do not think it is quite propaganda, given the intentions and intelligence of its creator. It provides logic very concisely, and therefore fulfills the purpose of a political cartoon.