The Gadsden flag was the brainchild of American general and politician Christopher Gadsden. He designed the flag in 1775 during the American Revolution. The use of a rattlesnake on the flag did not happen by chance. In fact, species of timber and black diamond rattlesnakes were abundant within the original colonies.
The Gadsden “Don’t Tread On Me” flag shows a yellow field with a coiled rattlesnake in the center ready to strike. The words placed below the rattlesnake are “Don’t tread on me.” During the American revolutionary period, the colonies were fighting for their freedom and the Gadsden flag was an indication to British forces that they must not take advantage of the American people and that Americans were ready to fight back against perceived aggression.
early use
It used to be Britain’s policy to send their convicts to the Americas. Benjamin Franklin made a sarcastic comment in response to this practice by saying that Americans should return this British favor by sending rattlesnakes to England. Benjamin Franklin also used a timber rattlesnake in what is believed to be the first American political cartoon.
The image showed the American colonies as segments of a snake and the famous “join or die” line written below. In 1775, George Washington, in his role as Commander-in-Chief of all continental forces in the United States, established the Continental Navy to intercept British cargo supplies for troops fighting American colonies.
To assist the Navy during its missions, Congress authorized the formation of Marines, a special force to accompany the US Navy on missions at sea. The Marines carried with them drums painted yellow with a rattlesnake and a slogan that read “don’t tread on me.” This is considered to be the first known use of Gadsden flag symbolism in United States history.
Before departing on his first mission, US Navy Commander-in-Chief Commodore Esek Hopkins was presented with the famous Gadsden flag by General Gadsden himself, which later appeared on the ship’s main mast during his first mission in December 1775.
Gadsden symbolism in the first Navy Jack
The current Navy cat, which is the national maritime flag and also an official symbol of the United States government, uses the symbols used on the original Gadsden flag. The flag consists of 13 stripes denoting the original 13 colonies that first came together to form the United States of America.
Above the stripes is an undulating rattlesnake with the same motto which is “Don’t tread on me”. The message to the enemy is the same: he must beware of the rattlesnake’s swift movement, as he can always coil up and attack when the time is right.
conclusion
The Gadsden flag is a symbol of the courage, bravery, and resilience of the people of the United States who have fought for their freedom since the formation of the first American colonies. It shows that the US Navy is always ready to protect its land and protect the freedom of its people.