Benjamin Franklin’s remark, made during the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, highlights the importance of unity among the American colonies in their fight against British oppression. When Franklin said, ‘We must all hang together or else we shall all hang separately,’ he was emphasizing that the colonies needed to present a united front. If they did not work together, they would be easier to defeat individually.
This statement served as a reminder that their cause was a collective one—if any colony failed, it could jeopardize the efforts of all. The context of the time was tense, with the looming threat of severe consequences for those who signed the Declaration. By using the metaphor of hanging, Franklin underscored that their survival depended on mutual support and solidarity; if they allowed divisions to form, they risked facing dire repercussions alone while their enemies stood united.