Jack, just in case |
Last Updated: March 28, 2023
Don’t step on me: the meaning and history of the Gadsden flag
The way of pondering of a survivalist accommodates a big dose of self-reliance.
And independence is an attitude fierce independence.
The point isn’t to depend on other people’s information materials and freebies.
Instead, develop your survival skills, knowledge and exertions to develop.
It’s a philosophy of reaping what you sow without interfering – without government control or tyranny.
We need this philosophy of fierce independence now greater than ever.
Why?
Because tyranny grows and government control doesn’t disappear.
I wish it wasn’t true, however the sad fact is that it’s coming… whether you prefer it or not.
Our current era of the Internet reflects the period after the invention of the printing press.
When monarchies were forced to extend their tyranny to be able to maintain control…
Why Rising Tyranny Is Inevitable (Whether You Like It Or Not)
Many of us embrace the concept of self-reliance on a private level, but it might even be embraced on a national level.
The United States was built on this concept of fierce self-reliance.
And we all know this partially from the symbols used before, during and after the creation of the United States of America.
Ancient symbols were used before the celebrities and stripes flew over this great land.
Those adopted before Old Glory became the official union flag.
They were symbols and flags which captured the true spirit of the American colonies.
Representing the essence of the struggle for independence from the tyranny of British rule.
So today we’ll discuss one symbolic message – Don’t step on me – and one flag particularly: Gadsden’s flag.
We will discuss intimately what this flag is, what it represents, the way it originated and the way it’s used today.
Rattlesnake
The video below covers every thing that’s in the remainder of the article, so I like to recommend watching that video.
However, in case you do not like movies or cannot watch them, keep reading concerning the Gadsden Flag.
The Origin of the Gadsden Flag
Many find it surprising that the rattlesnake was an emblem utilized by the early colonies. What does a rattlesnake should do with America and American ideals?
Besides that it’s the indigenous people of the unique 13 colonies, greater than you think that…
In 1754, Benjamin Franklin printed the primary political cartoon in an American newspaper.
The cartoon shows a rattlesnake cut into eight separate parts.
Each section represents the initial eight colonies, with New England at the highest and South Carolina at the top.
Below this image has the words “Join or Perish”.
It was a public call to unite the colonies for years before revolution.
The symbol was again used to call for unity against the tyranny of British rule.
Pawel Rewer
In 1774, a yr before the revolution, Pawel Rewer adopted the Franklin cartoon. He used it on the nameplate of his Massachusetts Spy newspaper.
This symbolism represented the colonies as divided entities. Individuals must unite to unite against tyranny or perish.
While the symbol of a healthy, whole and deadly rattlesnake able to attack soon became the brand new colonial symbol.
What is the Gadsden Flag? Explained
Gadsden’s flag
One of essentially the most common of those early rattlesnake flags was Gadsden’s flag.
Gadsden’s flag encompasses a coiled rattlesnake – able to attack – against a yellow background.
Also includes the words: Don’t step on me in daring below the image.
Benjamin Fraklin contribution
No discussion of the American Revolution is complete without including Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin he didn’t mince words or sugarcoat anything. For example, he once described the rattlesnake as the proper symbol of our latest national character:
The image of a rattlesnake in front of a bald eagle symbolized the early colonies. It has change into an emblem of utmost vigilance. Defensive by default, but able to attack quickly with lethality when threatened.
Other variants of the Gadsden flag
There were many rattlesnake-themed flags on this area. Even some variations of phrases like “Join or die” or “Don’t step on me.”
Krzysztof Gadsden
South Carolina politician Krzysztof Gadsden, receives credit for Gadsen’s first official flag design. But the evolution of the Gadsden flag has followed many paths.
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized 5 corporations of Marines. These Marines were to go along with the Colonial Navy on their first mission.
These first marines in the town of Philadelphia carried drums. These drums were yellow with a coiled rattlesnake with thirteen rattles.
It also featured the motto “Don’t step on me”.
This is the primary recorded mention of the symbolism of the long run Gadsden flag.
Colonel Gadsden was certainly one of seven members of the Maritime Committee, whose first trip was December 1775.
During this trip, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Commander Esek Hopkins, received a yellow rattlesnake flag from Colonel Gadsden.
This design was intended to function a particular personal standard for his flagship. It was flown from the principal mast and was the primary appearance of Gadsden’s true flag.
Commander Hopkins was very conversant in the symbolism of the rattlesnake.
The 1775 flag featured a coiled wood rattlesnake and the motto “Don’t step on me.” Along with the anchor, cannons and the motto “In God, We Hope” on a gold background.
The Gadsden Flag, presented to the Commander of the Continental Navy, is a simplified version of this design.
Gadsden also presented a replica of this flag to the South Carolina Congress in Charleston. This was recorded within the South Carolina congressional journals on February 9, 1776:
Colonel Gadsden presented to Congress a chic banner, resembling is to be utilized by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Navy, being a field of yellow, with a vivid depiction of a rattlesnake in the middle in a walking stance and the words Don’t step on me underneath.
Culpeper minute
It has a white field as an alternative of yellow and the added motto “Liberty or Death” and the name “The Culpeper Minute Men”.
It’s the flag of the Virginia Volunteers from the Culpeper area.
The rattlesnake symbol itself was also approved because the official Seal of the Ministry of War.
Which was the headquarters of the military through the Continental Congress in 1778. At the highest center of the Seal is a rattlesnake holding a banner that reads, “This we are going to defend.”
This means the constant readiness of the Army to defend and preserve the Nation. This War Office seal design has been carried over with some minor modifications.
He also had later designs for the War Department Seal and the Army Department Seal, Emblem and Flag.
As such, the rattlesnake symbol has been in continuous official use by the U.S. military for over 236 years.
Rebirth of flags
In addition to the rattlesnake of the revolution, Gadsden’s flag has been reborn. It has change into an emblem of American patriotism. It’s a way of signaling disagreement with government control and support for civil liberties.
The images of the deadly rattlesnake, defensive but coiled, are powerful even today. It has been adopted by many groups through the years. Most of those groups referred to the flag’s original intention as a approach to show injustice.
Injustices like a government getting too big and too corrupt. One that overtaxes the populace for the whims of pork. Or too desirous to restrict and even undermine our natural freedoms.
It’s easy to lose sight of the flag’s purpose in those early days. Today, many see it as a protest against a foreign government. But you will have to keep in mind that the federal government in 1775 was our own.
The colonies were British property and subjects of the king.
When the Gadsden flag first flown on a colonial warship, it was not a US ship. It was a ship of rebel forces attacking corrupt rulers. The states united and declared independence only in July 1776.
The Gadsden flag has its roots within the revolt.
That is why today it remains to be an emblem of revolt, even against our government.
Libertarians, civil rights groups and more recently the Tea Party now use the symbol. These groups use it to bolster their messages.
The Gadsden flag was an early flag for the colony; its purpose and message were directed inwards somewhat than outwards.
Corrupt governments must fear the rattlesnake bite.
Don’t step on me | The real Gadsden flag
However, Old Glory, the Celestial Banner, is a rather more appropriate representation of a nation trying to determine itself.
His message just isn’t a warning against internal tyranny, but a union. It is rather more appropriate and appropriate for the symbol to represent other nations to the world.
The Gadsden flag speaks of the facility and position of a person somewhat than a nation.
The images suggest that a mighty force is stalking the common-or-garden but dangerous rattlesnake.
In 1775, it was appropriate to portray the colonies as small entities being attacked by a greater force. But in today’s world – who now represents this mighty force?
Modern day – don’t step on me
Sure, United States continues to face serious external threats from abroad. But it’s unthinkable to think that our great nation is being “trodden” by these threats.
The Gadsden flag reminds us that our government is a big trampled upon. This is the present big force trampling its residents now.
The Gadsden flag perfectly represents the vigilant, freedom-loving people of the United States. People who warn their government and their leaders to not trample them or their rights as human beings.
Americans threw off the shackles of presidency oppression throughout the Revolutionary War. It is a symbolic reminder that if the US government betrays its people, the revolutionary spirit will rise again.
Rattlesnake will strike, and this banner will fly before the wrath of the People.
I feel Thomas Jefferson said it best:
Prepare, adapt and beat,
Jack just in case.
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