Question

Predict: During the 1700’s, there was a popular myth that suggested that if you put together the pieces of a dead snake that had been cut up before sundown, the pieces of the snake would magically rejoin, bringing the snake to life again. Knowing this, what do you think this image represents?

Answer 1

Answer: Unification and Awakening of the American Nation

Explanation:

There is no image attached but the image in question is most probably that which Benjamin Franklin attached to an editorial piece he wrote titled 'Join or Die'' which called for the unification of Colonial American efforts to defeat the French and their Indian allies in the French and Indian war.

There were a number of symbols inherent in the image of the snake in the carton but perhaps the most obvious was that of unification.

The snake in the picture was cut up into 8 pieces with each of them representing the colonies and Franklin hoped to draw upon the belief then that if you put together the pieces of a dead snake that had been cut up before sundown, the pieces of the snake would magically rejoin, bringing the snake to life again.

The symbol was clear that if the American colonies joined together against the French and Indian threat, they would be unified into a stronger colonial administration that would better ensure their survival.