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Originally created by Benjamin Franklin during the American War of Independence, this illustration stresses the necessity of the 13 colonies uniting to gain victory over the English. It was used later to promote the idea of the new states coming together in an infant nation. Before the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1788, each of the newly independent American states was in charge of its own affairs, under the Articles of Confederation.

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Appears in these articles

American War of Independence; United States of America; Articles of Confederation; Constitution of the United States

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