"Join, or Die" - Benjamin Franklin
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Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, was the political leader who created the "Join, or Die" political cartoon, which was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. At the Albany Congress, Franklin presented this cartoon in order to create unity between the thirteen colonies before the French and Indian War. This sent the message to all the colonies that unification and allying with Great Britain was essential to defeat the French and Indians. Directed towards all the people, this cartoon was successful in creating unity within the 13 colonies, which eventually led to the American Revolution (where unification was key). Benjamin Franklin's incorporation of pathos creates a sense of fear in the audience. Bu using the word "DIE" in the cartoon, it is clear that without unification, there will be no future for any of the colonies, which forced all of them to unite. Because this cartoon sends its message primarily through its use of pathos, the cartoon can be regarded as propaganda. In addition to Franklin's use of pathos, he appeals to ethos through his incorporation of the snake. During the era of the French and Indian war, there was a widespread superstition that a snake which had been cut into pieces would come back to life if the pieces were put back together before sunset. Mostly everyone believed in that superstition, and by using a snake, Franklin was able to make his message to the colonies very clear. Furthermore, his appeal to ethos adds a sense of urgency. Just as the snake has to be put together before sunset, the colonies need to unite very soon or else death was imminent. Considering what happened after Benjamin Franklin had published his cartoon in 1754, such as independence from Great Britain, creation of own government, etc, it is clear that the "Join, or Die" cartoon successful achieved its purpose of unifying the thirteen colonies.
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