http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers Discover some of the flags and fliers that circulated amongst the colonies before and during the American Revolution. en Copyright 2013, History.com Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-18T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo1 This cartoon, published by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, urged the colonies to unite. The first known American cartoon, it established the snake as an emblem for the American colonies. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo2 This drawing of a coiled snake with the words "DON'T TREAD ON ME" beneath is very similar to a flag used by the Continental Navy in the American Revolution. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo3 Through the Stamp Act (1765) the British imposed taxes on a variety of colonial goods. The act was met with anger and resistance, sometimes in the form of satirical fliers warning of the effects of the tax. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo4 This print by Paul Revere depicts the Boston massacre, a 1770 skirmish between British troops and a crowd in Boston, MA. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo5 In 1776 Thomas Paine published Common Sense, which presented an argument for independence from Britain. Widely distributed, the pamphlet made a profound impact on public opinion. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo6 This poster urges brave and able-bodied young men to join forces with General Washington in the fight against the British. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo7 According to legend, George Washington visited Pennsylvanian seamstress Betsy Ross in 1776 and asked her to make a flag for the new United States. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo8 In 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the "Stars and Stripes" as the national flag of the United States. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo9 There were thirteen stars on the flag, each representing one of the colonies. http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo10 The Besty Ross house in Philadelphia, PA http://www.history.com/photos/american-revolution-flags-and-fliers/photo10