Don’t Tread on Me – Meaning, Origin & Usage
“Don’t tread on me” can be a powerful phrase to use, but it is also seen quite negatively by some. This article is going to unpack what it meant by the phrase, and describe its historical origins as the motto of the Gadsen flag. We will also cover how the meaning of the motto and the flag has morphed over the years and how it now means different things to different people. We’ll follow that up with rounding off with modern usage of the phrase amiss of the flag it was associated with.
And without further ado let’s get straight to it.
What does the phrase “don’t tread on me” mean?
The phrase “Don’t tread on me” declares both independence and defiance against oppression, encompassing the idea of individuals and nations having the right to self-determination, and to not be subjected to unjust authority.
Historical origins of the phrase and the Gadsden flag
The motto “Don’t tread on me” began on what’s known as the Gadsden flag, an iconic Revolutionary War flag, representing American patriotism and defiance to oppression. It’s a flag with a yellow background featuring a coiled rattlesnake that’s readying to strike. It has “Don’t tread on me” stylised in uppercase without the apostrophe. The motto was added to the flag as a warning to the British of what would happen if the Crown tried to take away the Colony’s rights. It cautioned America’s enemies about the dangers of trying to come against the nation and take away its individualism and freedoms.
The flag was first flown on a warship in 1775 as a battle cry for American independence from British rule. Its design is attributed to the soldier and politician, Christopher Gadsden, who hailed from South Carolina.
Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States had suggested a rattlesnake, not only because it’s indigenous to the United States, but also because Franklin saw it as a symbol of the American spirit, saying that it represented vigilance, assertiveness, individualism, unity, and liberty. The “tread” part of the motto means “to step, walk, or trample so as to press, crush, or injure something.” And so, with its fangs out, tongue flicked, and body coiled in defense, the rattlesnake is effectively warning others: “If you dare put your foot down on me, I will strike.”
Of course Gadsden’s flag was replaced with the infamous Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States with little fanfare or recorded debate, and the Gadsden flag became something of a Revolutionary relic for much time.
Following the flying of the flag in 1775, the motto “don’t tread on me” came to be the motto of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) of the US Army, and the 4th Infantry Regiment of the US Army. It’s also used in the First Navy Jack of the United States Navy. The Royal Air Force’s No. 103 (Bomber) Squadron also uses the phrase as its motto. You can still buy th4e flag today.
Shifting symbolism, popular misconceptions, racial insinuations, and the cultural impact and modern interpretations of the Gadsden flag and its motto “Don’t tread on me”
Over time, the meaning of both the flag and the motto broadened and became heavily politicised. In the 2000–10s, it was adopted by a number of different conservative and libertarian groups. This includes the radical far-right, second amendment zealots, and gun rights activist groups.
The Tea Party group
One such group was the Tea Party who came to the fore in the year 2009 and stood for small government and lower taxes, and they are known to have flown the Gadsden flag to display defiance and opposition to big, central government involvement.
Some supporters of these groups have been accused of racism, and following on from this, both the flag and the accompanying motto have been viewed as an expression of bigotry. This may link back to the designer of the flag, Christopher Gadsden, who was known to be both a slave trader and an owner of slaves. Similarly, there are those who say that the flag has become a “historical indicator of white resentment against blacks stemming largely from the Tea Party.”
Accusations of racism
In January of 2014, an African-American maintenance mechanic for the United States Postal Service in Denver filed a complaint saying that he had been subjected to racial discrimination, because one of his co-workers “repeatedly wore a cap to work with an insignia of the Gadsden Flag”
At first, the mechanic’s complaint was dismissed, but, after much back and forth, the decision was reversed. News articles were released saying that President Barack Obama’s government ruled that wearing the “Don’t tread on me” Gadsden flag can be considered racist and constitute racial harassment.
However, there was no such definitive “ruling,” from the Obama Administration or anyone else. And a case was put forward about journalist misreporting. In fact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has since declared that “It is clear that the Gadsden Flag originated in the Revolutionary War in a non-racial context.”
There was a further incident in 2014 when two Las Vegas police officers were killed and their bodies covered by the flag. Even though both of the shooters were white, the shooters reportedly “spoke of white supremacy” and “the start of a revolution,” and were believed to be sending that message with the flag.
Use of the phrase ”Don’t tread on me” over the years
The symbol’s appeal spread through pop culture, as an all-purpose signifier of swaggering defiance. The phrase “Don’t tread on me” is the title of a song by the rock band Metallica, which appeared on their infamous Black Album. The song was released in 1991, and it features the phrase several times. The coiled rattlesnake from the Gadsden flag is just about visible in the dark gunmetal grey on an all black album cover.
The Gadsden flag has also been appropriated to promote particular U.S. Soccer and streetwear brands.
While it is considered appropriate to use the motto “Don’t tread on me” in rare instances, such as when being unnecessarily or unjustly oppressed by an authority, it would be best to avoid using the phrase in polite company in order to avoid risking offending someone who might be sensitive to the popular misconceptions surrounding the phrase.
Comparing similar phrases and sayings
With such popular misconceptions around the Gadsden flag and the “Don’t tread on me motto” it should come as no surprise that many people would prefer to express similar sentiments in more preferable, acceptable ways. Here are some examples of alternative saying and mottos along with where you may have seen or heard them before:
- Hope – from colonial flags
- Liberty – from colonial flags
- Appeal to heaven – from colonial flags
- Liberté, égalité, fraternité (translated Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) – from the French Revolution
- Come and take it
- Do your worst
- Bring it on
- Don’t mess with me
- Don’t even think about it
- Don’t you dare
- The gloves are off
- You can’t do this to me
- I won’t let you do this
Final word
So, to sum up, the phrase “Don’t tread on me” originated as a motto on the Gadsden flag which features a coiled rattlesnake ready to strike on a yellow background. Above all, the flag and the motto represent defiance against opposition.
To many people, the meaning of both the flag and the motto have become skewed over time. For instance, people who wear the insignia have been accused of racism because the person who designed it was a slave owner and trader. What’s more, others, such as the Tea Party, have taken the flag to symbolise their opposition against big central government.
Many would argue that these are misconceptions of the motto, but the controversy and ambiguity surrounding it has made many fearful to use the flag for these reasons. However, there is no ambiguity around the motto’s representation of defiance against oppression.
You can use the motto when feeling oppressed, as long as your mindful about who you are speaking with and how they may interpret your words. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind, but endeavour to always remain respectful.
