The Purpose for Political Cartooning

The cartoon was used again as the colonists started thinking about revolution. In 1760, Paul Revere, an engraver and American patriot, used the cartoon when Britain was trying to force The Stamp Act on the colonies. The tax on tea became an excuse to declare freedom. The cartoon was an important way to encourage the colonists to unit and fight.

History was influenced because Franklin and Revere used the cartoon to encourage the colonies to become the United States of America. This cartoon was so effective that it has become an icon (a traditional symbol) for the colonists' will to be free. The title was changed to "Live Free or Die" and was incorporated into a revolutionary flag as with the snake and a slogan, "Don't Tread on Me." The slogan "Live Free or Die," even now, can be seen on New Hampshire's license plate.

Just looking at the cartoon did not give us the whole picture. We needed some knowledge of what was going on to appreciate the cartoon. The artistic nature of the work can also influence how we react to the cartoon.