Final answer:
The 'Join, or Die' cartoon originally aimed to unify colonies during the French and Indian War, but later became a symbol of unity against British rule during the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences between the first and second publications of the "Join, or Die" cartoon by Benjamin Franklin lie primarily in their context and implication. Initially published in 1754 in the Pennsylvania Gazette, it was intended to unite the colonies against the common threat posed by the French and their Native American allies during the French and Indian War. The segmented snake represented the colonies that needed to join together as one to survive. In the subsequent publications, especially around the time of the American Revolution, the cartoon took on a new meaning. It became a symbol of colonial freedom and the need to unite against British rule. The recontextualization of the image underscored the shift from a call for unity for external defense to a call for unity to achieve independence and self-governance.