How Benjamin Franklin’s “Join, or Die” Imagery Has Been Remixed, Reused, and Reappropriated

This media literacy centered lesson focuses on Benjamin Franklin as a master media manipulator while also exploring how Franklin’s iconic Join, or Die imagery has been remixed, reused, and reappropriated over time. Students will consider the historical context of America’s first major political cartoon and weigh media literacy concepts such as how media influences beliefs and opinion, how different people view media differently, and how context can change a media message.

After viewing video clips depicting Franklin’s inspiration for and the development of his political cartoon over time, students will trace the history of how Franklin’s Join, or Die imagery has been reappropriated by groups over time as they analyze a curated media gallery. Students will aim to identify the throughline linking Franklin’s political cartoon to its modern day uses. After deliberating what the Gadsden flag represents today and to whom through a perspective taking jigsaw activity, students can create and curate an interactive timeline, or respond by creating a political cartoon or meme of their own. This lesson is adaptable and can be used in full or activities can be completed independently.