Answer :
Benjamin Franklin's 'Join, or Die' cartoon was a call for colonial unity against external threats and is a milestone in the evolution of political cartoons, which continue to provide pointed social and political commentary through to the present day.
Benjamin Franklin's first political cartoon, "Join, or Die", published in the Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9, 1754, is a significant part of American history. The cartoon depicted a severed snake, each part representing one of the American colonies, and served as a visual exhortation for colonial unity during the French and Indian War, which was a precursor to the American Revolution. Franklin, a multifaceted individual who was an inventor, writer, printer, diplomat, scientist, humorist, and statesman, was known for his wit and ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple form.
Political cartoons have evolved since then, with influential cartoonists such as Thomas Nast using the medium to address corruption and social issues in the late 19th century. In modern times, political satire continues with comic strips like Doonesbury, by Gary Trudeau, which has been recognized by a Pulitzer Prize for its incisive commentary on social and political affairs. Today, the legacy of political cartooning persists, with cartoons and memes circulating widely on the internet, engaging readers with their poignant and humorous takes on contemporary events.
