U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What does the phrase "Join, or die..." signify?

1. The need for unification among the colonies

2. The importance of individual states

3. The proposal for a new government

4. The need for independence from England

The correct answer is: The need for unification among the colonies

The phrase "Join, or die..." signifies the urgent need for unification among the colonies during a time of external threat. This rallying cry, famously used by Benjamin Franklin in a political cartoon, depicted a severed snake divided into sections, each representing a different colony. The imagery highlighted the dangers of disunity, especially in the face of British rule and aggression. By emphasizing that the colonies must come together to secure their survival and stand against a common enemy, it encapsulated the idea that individual colonies would be weaker if they remained separate. This call for unity was pivotal in fostering collective action among the colonies (such as during the French and Indian War) and laid the groundwork for later movements toward independence, as it made clear that collaboration was essential for their strengths in negotiating their rights and freedoms.