{"product_id":"unite-or-die-art-print-benjamin-franklins-1774-political-cartoon-redkalion","title":"Unite or Die Art Print | Benjamin Franklin's 1774 Political Cartoon | RedKalion","description":"\u003cp\u003eBenjamin Franklin's 1774 'Unite or Die' political cartoon, also known as the 'Join, or Die' snake, is a seminal work of American Revolutionary propaganda. Created during the First Continental Congress, it depicts a segmented snake representing the American colonies, urging unity against British rule. Franklin adapted the imagery from earlier woodcuts, transforming it into a powerful symbol of colonial resistance that galvanized public sentiment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHistorical Context of the Unite or Die Cartoon\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFranklin designed this cartoon for the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754, but its 1774 republication during the Continental Congress reignited its impact. The segmented snake, labeled with colony abbreviations, visually argued that division would lead to collective demise. This artifact exemplifies Franklin's mastery of visual rhetoric, blending folk art with political urgency to foster a nascent national identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eArtistic Analysis of the Unite or Die Print\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe woodcut employs stark, linear simplicity to maximize legibility and emotional resonance. Each snake segment, from New England to South Carolina, symbolizes regional interdependence. Franklin's choice of a rattlesnake—a creature native to the Americas—subtly asserts colonial autonomy. The crude, urgent style bypasses elite art conventions, speaking directly to a broad populace and cementing its status as an icon of American dissent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePrint Specifications \u0026amp; Materials\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAvailable Sizes:\u003c\/b\u003e 75×100 cm \/ 30×40″, 40×50 cm \/ 16×20″, 21×29.7 cm \/ 8×12″\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePaper Finishing:\u003c\/b\u003e Matte, uncoated, natural white (off-white)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAcid-Free:\u003c\/b\u003e pH above 7 to prevent yellowing over time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePaper Weight:\u003c\/b\u003e 250 gsm (110 lb) | Thickness: 0.29 mm (11.4 mils)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSustainable Paper:\u003c\/b\u003e FSC-certified\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eRedKalion's museum-quality print captures the raw texture and historical gravitas of Franklin's original woodcut. Our archival standards ensure this piece of American heritage endures, offering a tangible connection to the revolutionary ideals of unity and resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RedKalion","offers":[{"title":"21x29.7 cm \/ 8x12\"","offer_id":51399344390432,"sku":"Unite-or-Die-Art-Print-|-Benjamin-Franklin's-1774-Political-Cartoon-|-RedKalion-SML","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"40x50 cm \/ 16x20″","offer_id":51399344423200,"sku":"Unite-or-Die-Art-Print-|-Benjamin-Franklin's-1774-Political-Cartoon-|-RedKalion-MED","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"75x100 cm \/ 30x40″","offer_id":51399344455968,"sku":"Unite-or-Die-Art-Print-|-Benjamin-Franklin's-1774-Political-Cartoon-|-RedKalion-LRG","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9574\/8896\/files\/Unite-or-Die-Art-Print-_-Benjamin-Franklin_s-1774-Political-Cartoon-_-RedKalion.webp?v=1774951079","url":"https:\/\/redkalion.com\/products\/unite-or-die-art-print-benjamin-franklins-1774-political-cartoon-redkalion","provider":"RedKalion","version":"1.0","type":"link"}