How the GADSDEN FLAG Became a Controversial Symbol of Liberty

Ever since Benjamin Franklin used the rattlesnake to represent the 13 Colonies, its meaning has been debated, most notably as part of the Gadsden Flag, which includes those four iconic words: Don’t Tread on Me.
But what was its original intent? Who used it first, and what were they seeking to portray?
We tried to answer those questions, and for additional context, brought in Peter Ansoff, President of the North American Vexillological Association - the world’s largest organization of flag enthusiasts and scholars.
Relying on primary sources and proprietary research, Peter describes the (probable) first time the Gadsden Flag flew; the uniquely American roots of the rattlesnake; the ebbs and flows of the rattlesnake as a symbol; and how both have been used in more recent political movements.
Let us know in the comments: What do the rattlesnake and the Gadsden Flag mean to you? And if you learned something from this video, be sure to LIKE it, and SUBSCRIBE to our channel.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 The First American Meme
1:06 Rattlesnakes - and Ben Franklin’s Fascination with Them
2:38 The World’s Leading Flag Expert on the Origins of the Gadsdenn Flag
4:30 “Distinctively American”
5:12 Post-Revolution Limbo
6:50 Tug of War: What the Flag “Really” Means
7:37 Resistance - but to What?
8:04 Possible Alternatives/The Eye of the Beholder
9:21 What the Rattlesnake Means to Us
#GadsdenFlag #BenjaminFranklin #liveandletlive #donttreadonanyone
LEARN LIBERTY:
Your resource for exploring the ideas of a free society. We tackle big questions about what makes a society free or prosperous and how we can improve the world we live in. Watch more at www.learnliberty.org/.

[@usarmyveteran177]

It’s a symbol of resistance to tyranny.

[@onpoint2292]

So was the Confederate flag. "Semper sic tyranus." Clearly shows that element. I'm not equating the Garden Flag with the Confederate flag. Just pointing out a weakness with that defense. Conspiracy minded people, or rural, white people have historically felt oppressed by the government. Bad actors in the past such as the KKK have hidden behind appeals to "fighting against tyranny, " too. That's why we're even having this conversation about a classic American symbol. Specific groups, and specific instances muddied the waters, and the average American nowadays just runs with the 1st thing they hear about something. The Internet age overloads young people with information, so now there is more room to be illiterate about stuff that was common knowledge 10 years ago. Gotta be patient, and have strong arguments to cut through the Leftist attack lines.

[@tibzig1]

Young people today are even more foolish than they were in my day. And admittedly, we did have some idiots but the youth of today take the cake!@@onpoint2292

[@TheWizardGamez]

@@onpoint2292 the difference there being that they appropriated that image while literally treading on the rights of enslaved africans and their descendants. its bad faith. and purposeful muddying. and the north wasnt treading on the south. in fact it was pretty generous all things considered, since laws existed on the books until the 1940s that allowed for the "imprisonment"(enslavement) of africans. in its current form tho, which seems to be largely be championed by libertarian's(both left and right) who should ultimately be against premature violence. But hey. to me. its a symbol meaning "stop growing the government"

[@BMichaelGalloway]

​@@onpoint2292SO very well said! Excelsior! 👍

[@1DwtEaUn]

@@TheWizardGamez It was and it wasn't, the North (Union) mandated that all new states would all be non-slave states upsetting the balance of slave to non-slave states, overriding the state's sovereignty to choose on their own people's convictions. The South (Confederacy) should have lost due to slavery being an awful institution, but should have won on State's rights over the Federal's limited powers The North (Union) should have lost due to Federal overriding the state's and thus the people's rights thus destroying and disrespecting the 9th, 10th, in a similar way to the Patriot Act destroying the 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments, but should have won on the abolishing slavery front (though that was not really the Union's goal going by Lincoln's own words) 13th Amendment can be argued as for allowing enslavement of people today, due to the "except ..." remaining in it

[@odan7564]

It’s not controversial, in fact, it’s the standard of patriotism!

[@raulthepig5821]

And that is why the left is attacking it.

[@KaoticReach1999]

Controversial to the same people that find the American flag itself offensive.

[@paulstark4923]

because for some its actual is:)))lets not forget what us has done in the past 50 years

[@FourthRoot]

When I was in 8th grade, my middle school led us on a march after 9/11. I wanted to carry a "Don't tread on me" banner. They wouldn't let me. Thinking back, I really should have raised hell about that.

[@flasun6934]

That's the school system for ya. Tney actually started the dumbing down in American school system in the 60's

[@mayanlogos92]

💗 that would have been amazing

[@chuckbrueck3125]

Why are you lying?

[@FourthRoot]

@@chuckbrueck3125 Because my feet hurt.

[@CaptainFritz28]

Now they are banning it outright from schools.

[@leslovesliberty1776]

Thanks for this brief history of the Gadsden flag! The kid in Colorado who just got suspended for having one on his backpack led me here. Our modern public school system is clueless!! 💯💛🇺🇲

[@Lethalmuffin87]

It’s a sad day when a symbol of freedom is called a symbol of slavery. Those that try to teach such a thing should be held accountable

[@chipsdad5861]

@@Lethalmuffin87 You should research the history of the Gadsden wharf. You would understand the 2 meanings.

[@d.l.hemmingway3758]

@@chipsdad5861 The flag has nothing to do with the Whart other than it is possible the same man had a hand in both. As this video says though it is doubtful that Colonel Gadsden was involved in the creation of the flag. The flag was used by more than just his command within the Continental Army. It was in one form or another seen throughout the War of Independence used by various Continental Army and State Militia regiments. There is another flag that nearly as common and has upon it an appeal: Appeal To Heaven and a Pine Tree. The phase Appeal to Heaven comes from a sermon by John Locke, FRS a philosopher who lived from 29 August 1632 - 28 October 1704 penned the phrase as part of Two Treatises of Government. According to Locke, "And where the body of the people, or any single man, is deprived of their right, or is under the exercise of a power without right, and have no appeal on earth, then they have a liberty to appeal to heaven, whenever they judge the cause of sufficient moment. And therefore, though the people cannot be judge, so as to have, by the constitution of that society, any superior power, to determine and give effective sentence in the case; yet they have, by a law antecedent and paramount to all positive laws of men, reserved that ultimate determination to themselves which belongs to all mankind, where there lies no appeal on earth, viz. to judge, whether they have just cause to make their appeal to heaven."

[@chipsdad5861]

@@d.l.hemmingway3758 What does the BLM flag mean to you?

[@yournamehere4627]

​@@chipsdad5861you ask about a BLM flag but what about the Betsy Ross flag? What does it mean to you?

[@trublgrl]

“The most terrifying force of death comes from the hands of Men who wanted to be left Alone. They try, so very hard, to mind their own business and provide for themselves and those they love. They resist every impulse to fight back, knowing the forced and permanent change of life that will come from it. They know that the moment they fight back, their lives as they have lived them, are over. The moment the Men who wanted to be left alone are forced to fight back, it is a form of suicide. They are literally killing off who they used to be. Which is why, when forced to take up violence, these Men who wanted to be left alone, fight with unholy vengeance against those who murdered their former lives. They fight with raw hate, and a drive that cannot be fathomed by those who are merely play-acting at politics and terror. TRUE TERROR will arrive at these people’s door, and they will cry, scream, and beg for mercy… but it will fall upon the deaf ears of the Men who just wanted to be left alone.” _-Author Unknown_ [EDIT: The quote is from Alexander Solzhenitsyn]

[@iLoveBIGTdsn3s]

That's deep. I was really moved by it. Thanks for posting it.

[@ctxrider7585]

Wow… Powerful. Thank you for sharing!

[@monoXcide01]

That's an Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn quote.

[@trublgrl]

@@monoXcide01 Really? Thanks, I have not been able to find the correct attribution! ♥

[@ToddMatthewSmith]

Awesome , thanks for that quote!

[@Qingeaton]

I feel fortunate to have had an upbringing that allowed me to question authority. I was taught that I could do anything I wanted, so long as it did not harm anything or anyone else. I always felt a kinship with this flag, though I have never owned or displayed one myself. Thank you for the history lesson. The recent news shows that some who call themselves "educators" can't be bothered to read or watch a few moments of actual history.

[@anitachopping]

I just watched clip of a boy of 12 being suspended for school do having a Gadston flag patch on his back pack. Ignorant teacher claiming it was connected to slavery and hate groups. Claiming it was disruptive.

[@berniekatzroy]

Same, imagine a history teacher telling you can wear this flag in school.

[@gorkyd7912]

What they are teaching is that the USA itself was founded on hatred and slavery. You've heard the 1619 project, they're going to try to rewrite history that way.

[@eXeYeZ-404]

Thank you for giving this brief history of the Gadsden Flag.

[@thefirely1439]

I was taking my sister to meet the teacher a couple months ago and found her history teacher hanging a Gadsden flag on his wall. I was very pleased. DON'T TREAD ON ME.

[@Jeremy-ds5vv]

It’s not controversial at all. Just have to know its history.

[@yerbeilisready8562]

Everyone watching this is on the FBI militia extremist watch list.

[@ryanburbridge]

What do you think this channel turned into?

[@firingallcylinders2949]

If you're not on one by now then you're probably doing something wrong.

[@nathanmonster0837]

​@@ryanburbridgeit is not what the channel turned into but what the Feds have turned in to

[@SqueakyMcSqueaks]

Proud to be on there

[@ulfskinn1458]

Good.

[@supergeek0177]

This has suddenly gotten relevant again hahaha

[@FeguerFineArt]

Correction - Jan 6th was not a raid of the capital.

[@TheSummer750]

Sure, if you want to whitewash history and live in a land of make-believe it wasn't. Like saying you're a patriot that loves democracy not tyrannical dictator cults....and yet...."Stop the steal" riiiight. 'I just want to find 11780 votes'

[@LegalAutomation]

No step on snek

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

❌️ 🦶 🐍

[@dahlrjay63]

​@@ragingjaguarknight86A new rendition... For modern minds.

[@mghegotagun]

It's only controversial in so far as government institutions don't like it when people resist them. They love selling people on how awesome the American mythology of rebellion, stubbornness, and virtue is. They hate being identified as the very thing that necessitates such rebellion.

[@paulborst4724]

*8:40** The "symbol" of an American flag on a casket and at a Trump rally represent the same thing. The love of freedom and the sacrifices it takes to keep it. If you're implying ANYTHING else then you're wrong.*

[@evanhager4266]

this guy thinks trump is evil. rather, trump is fighting and defeating evil.

[@johnshields6852]

Don't tread on me is my favorite.

[@dennis12jose]

Loved this video! Thanks for the historical information💯

[@getteedoff]

I had always heard Franklin thought the wild turkey was a better option than the bald eagle. Also, I don’t think the cottonmouth is a rattlesnake.

[@Shademastermcc]

You could just look it up, I mean you are typing this from a device that has internet access right?

[@getteedoff]

@@Shademastermcc nah dude. My mom took away my internet access.

[@horusfalcon]

You are right. The cottonmouth moccasin (agkistrodon piscivorus) is a pit viper, i.e., a crotalid, but is not a rattlesnake. Both can be deadly, but have their own places in nature.

[@sharonpopolow6874]

It's a shame this flag and symbol has come under such scrutiny and controversy. Unlike the Confederate and Nazi symbols, the Don't Tread on Me symbol can really be used by any individual or group to state they won't tolerate their individual or group rights being taken away or hindered. I actually really like the symbol. I'm a native Philadelphian and am very diverse in my political ideologies (some of which are extremely leftist- who the leftists seem to be the ones who have the most problems with it). I get it that Leftists might have suspicion of the symbol since a lot of people from Far Right seem to be adopting it, but that doesn't mean that Far Leftists or Middle of the Roaders can't find meaning in it also. Don't Tread on Me means exactly as it sounds like- don't infringe on my life and rights or I'll fight back. We have 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms against individuals, groups, and government (under extreme situations) to do exactly that. I understand the nuances of the Confederate flag being offensive, but I see nothing in the DToM symbol being offensive since its history isn't steeped in hatred and oppression and the message is one of self-defense (not outright aggression).

[@clockwrkviking6930]

The far leftists have a problem with it because it's a symbol of unity, they don't want to unify with the country they hate and aim to destroy, and that flag represents the republicans who are stopping those efforts and for good reason, Communism isn't the answer and we aren't going to unify with them either. Across the board Nazi flags are viewed as bad by the right doesn't mean you don't have the right to own it or fly it.

[@ManiacalManiac]

Those on the far right are the ones that want left alone the most, next to libertarian types like myself. Do I know left leaning types that feel the same? Yes but they are too far in-between. Lefties for whatever reason are too authoritarian.

[@millennialodyssey5956]

The Confederate flag was high-jacked though. It didn't start out as something bad either.

[@sharonpopolow6874]

@@millennialodyssey5956 don't kid yourself. I tried seeing it as a symbol for Southern pride when I moved down to Atlanta since the topic did come up a lot in the 2010s. But after quite a bit of thought, I came to the conclusion that the Confederate flag is a symbol of oppression. It would've been different if the Confederate flag existed PRIOR to the Civil War as a regional pride symbol. But no, it was born of the Civil War which was fought by the Southerners to keep slavery alive, even after decades of moral discussions on the topic. Instead of fighting to keep slavery, the South should have taken the high ground to abolish. I don't blame the normal everyday Southerner for this. It wasn't their fault- just like today, political agendas are propagated to citizens to take one side or another, and it's ALWAYS the wealthy elite, media (at that time newspapers), religious leaders, and politicians who spread political messages for their own self interests (usually bribes). Both liberals/Democrats AND conservatives/Republicans are guilty of propaganda, groupthink, pressure to conform to ideologies. If you ever want to taste REAL freedom, go Independent. I feel like my soul is cleaner now that I broke free of party affiliation/groupthink. I used to be Democrat, but Republicans are just as bad. But getting back to hijacking symbols- you're right. The swastika (Asian ironically)and various Celtic and Nordic symbols have been adopted by Alt-Right, White supremacists, and hate groups which had nothing to do with 20th and 21st resurgence of oppression. I find the hijacking of those symbols more horrible than the use of the Confederate flag which really was a rally cry symbol to oppress Blacks in America. The symbols of beautiful, rich cultures of Asia, Scandinavia,, and the British Isles have been crapped on by hate groups stealing their symbols and staining their rich history.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

There’s a natural left right thing with the Gadsden. Since the Left stands for Big Government and anyone against Big Government is by definition, against the Left. Even if you’re a moderate Libertarian .Ike myself, you’ll get put into this category. I’ve always loved the Gadsden. Even by today’s modern marketing, it’s pretty great. It would look great on a football helmet.

[@denmander]

I hadn't ever thought about how often eagles were used in symbols from brutal authoritarian regimes...

[@everythingstrength1485]

The mythical German wyfamit was the most feared. As our USA bald eagle looks left usually, indicating "turn the other cheek" compared to Germany's eagle, which stares straight ahead... just some mumbo out of an old n*zi book I read 💯

[@SavageHenry777]

Don't have to be brutal or authoritarian though becauae the eagle is a very common symbol. On the other hand any political faction that has ever held power could probably be demonstrated to have acted brutally at some point or in an authoritarian manner.

[@carlosnievas1220]

Philadelphia Eagles fan?

[@johnmarkharris]

Just all of them

[@Brett235]

Look at the eagle and how they procure food or defend their young and you'll see why they're used as a symbol.

[@wandameadows5736]

Liberty is the RIGHT to display any flag you wish. You'd think a channel called "Learn Liberty" would understand this.

[@LearnLiberty]

Did we say you can’t?

[@heathdetweilerRealtor]

Great video. Thank you for the information.

[@dawg065]

i see it as "Don't f with me."

[@lindacuster1328]

That is what I see too

[@horusfalcon]

Less than a minute in, I knew. Subscribed. Your channel does a great service to a nation in need. So very well done!

[@hyperguyver2]

Now I prefer the version that has the Killdozer on it and say "Tread on Those Who Would Tread on You"

[@MrDDiRusso]

Benjamin Franklin was wrong about the bald eagle. The bald eagle does fish for itself and they are quite attentive parents.

[@thomasjcorson7502]

Yes eagles also kill fawns small dogs and lambs

[@dolph9913]

Do you know why we call the Bald Eagle the “Bald Eagle”? It was actually shortened from Old English “Piebald” meaning - “Crowned with white.”

[@cecemeyers6028]

Piebald? I thought that was “drunk”.

[@Shademastermcc]

@@cecemeyers6028 you could just look it up, you are accessing youtube from a device that has internet access after all.

[@aisforapple2494]

I proudly wear my "Join Or Die" t-shirt often.

[@metalmilitia1096]

Don’t tread on me 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@interstellar618]

We're about individual liberty and rights..and we uphold those rights for one another. The people who hate the flag are for the will of the group to supersede the rights of the individual. That's the rub

[@bernardovidigal]

Great video!

[@mayanlogos92]

I won't die curious 😅 Lots of thanks. Much admiration to them 💕

[@mikep2563]

Resistance to tyranny. It's a very simple simple concept that everybody can understand and relate to❤

[@trublgrl]

Wonderful video as usual, Learn Liberty!

[@cassianozanon8751]

Amazing!

[@LearnLiberty]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@johnb30021]

Thank You 🙏🏼♥️🇺🇸👍🏼✌🏼 I’ll put in my Window now ! God Bless AMERICA 🇺🇸

[@tballstaedt7807]

If the American modern left finds a polically moderate real-estate developer from Queens "less palatable", I can only imagine what they would think about the colonial Americans who founded our country.

[@cecemeyers6028]

Excellent commentary there. Ben franklins choice for the National bird was the Turkey.

[@jeffdwyer6105]

Some people see a meaning that's entirely in their own head . The Confederate battle flag for example , it was always a battle flag , nothing more . When the KKK posed proudly with the USA flag and the Bible , that was a mis-use of a symbol .

[@dutchdykefinger]

pinkos love making examples of thing that didn't even last 10 years like the nazis adnd the confederation to draw away attention from the murderous communist regiimes that lasted forever comparatively and killed hundreds of milliosn of motherfuckers it's fucking cope and projection, can't really take these people seriously

[@JamesAndrewMacGlashanTaylor]

There is not answer to the "real" meaning of a symbol. But there is an answer to the ORIGINAL meaning of a symbol. And that meaning is alive and well.

[@trublgrl]

That's a great point. In the record business, I always told songwriters, "You can't be upset if the song you meant to say one thing is interpreted by others as a different thing. Once it's out of your head, it's not yours anymore." The original meaning is the purview of the author, how the world chooses to honor the author's premise, is impossible to predict or control.

[@themonologuer]

The Swastika also used to be a symbol for Hinduism before the Nazi party decided to use it, so ur logic lacks any sense

[@Shademastermcc]

@@themonologuer How does the Nazi's misuse of the swastika make his statement lack sense? Both symbols are bastardized and both also have original meaning. The swastika has been lost but individuals today still use "don't tread on me" in it's original sense. Two things can be true at once.

[@chipsdad5861]

The Gadsden Flag is credited to Christopher Gadsden (February 16, 1724 - August 28, 1805) was an American politician who was the principal leader of the South Carolina Patriot movement during the American Revolution. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, a brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, a merchant, and the designer of the Gadsden flag. He is a signatory to the Continental Association.

[@sarahMuahahaha]

Was gonna make this comment.

[@Obi-Wads]

The literal meaning of fuck around and find out!

[@livingintoday1073]

Thank you for breaking this down.

[@Dougfrilled]

Up next: How America became a controversial symbol

[@wristygymnast1384]

What a great symbol of America: leave me alone and I won’t threaten you… 🥴

[@dutchdykefinger]

also known as "don't threathen me" for anyone who is not a flaming dishonest little leftoied

[@Zaekyr]

More like "leave me alone and I won't kill you".

[@horusfalcon]

Sadly, our government strayed far from this precept right after World War II. Korea, Vietnam, Okinawa (aka Uchinaa), all came to symbolize American meddling in Southeast Asia out of fear of Communist expansion. The Cold War was a crucible.

[@TheWizardGamez]

the thing about the gadsden flag is that it doenst have to be america unique. any group anywhere can fly it to convey their distain with the powers that be in their region of the world. another similar flag would be the "come and take it", and open threat saying "if you gonna talk shit, you better be ready to throw down".

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

Those who oppose its true meaning will try to twist and contort it to theirs.... either deliberately or through their ignorance .

[@ronaldsmith6829]

Thank you. Well done.

[@lastmanstanding5338]

A lot of people forget the Join or die rattler.

[@josejaramillo5666]

"Yea, maybe he was on to something.." Lmfao

[@RedHuntsman]

I wish they did pick the rattlesnake over the bald eagle.

[@ilf2gfe]

The rattlesnake of cuteness 😸🐱😻😺😍😆

[@wowbagger3505]

I have worked outside in timber rattlesnake country for decades. Rattle snakes are just as described. The only rule is to not give one the wrong message. I once was driving along a road near here, although I didn’t live here at the time. I came upon a fat rattler sunning himself in the warm autumn sun. He had been eating well and was getting ready to hibernate. I took some photos drove around him and took some more. He was a little perturbed as I drove around, but didn’t coil. I submitted the best to a photo contest featuring wildlife and got nowhere, but I had a job that allowed me to take nature photos on the side and consider that old snake one of my two or three best.

[@bjaminf113]

Well done!

[@brassmule]

Ben Franklin was specifically speaking about the Timber Rattlesnake - that's why the Gadsden Flag has that pattern on it, because it's a Timber Rattlesnake. The Timber rattlesnake, C. horridus, was previously found all over New England - even Manhattan and Long Island - not nearly as uncommon as they are today. It's the most common rattlesnake in areas that colonial-area individuals would have come into contact with, especially in the northern states - being present in all 13 original colonies. Eastern diamondbacks would have been common at the time in north/south carolina, georgia, and florida) and Eastern massasauga being likely in far western NY/PA at the time, but much much less common and extensively ranged compared to C. horridus. Compared to most other rattlesnakes which range in the United States, it's a very chill rattlesnake (perhaps only beaten out here by black-tailed rattlesnake) but they are one of the most venomous rattlesnakes and are more commonly involved in deaths by invenomation in the US than any other rattlesnake except C. atrox (western diamondbacks, the snake featured in the initial imagery of a rattlesnake in this video).

[@WhatTheFuss]

Hello. I came across your video due to a young boy ( I think a 7th grader) has allegedly been placed on temp suspension from school for wearing a book bag that donned the snake and the heading: “ Dont tread on me” Thing is, the teachers/staff who found the book bag and the saying and emblem on it to be problematic, didn’t have the proper education on the slogan or its meaning. But since watching your video I can now see why the jacket would be problematic, seeing that it means “rebellion against authority” and teaching institutions do maintain a level of authority of its domains. I believe that the mother and the young student both are aware that that flag was also donned at the January 6th rebellion during the changing of the guards.

[@Peace_and_Love_777.....]

The Flag was created in 1775 with a SNAKE for a reason... Snakes only attack if provoked. Other groups have used it for the same reason... Don't tread on my RIGHTS.. If YOU take that as "rebellion against authority" ... you need to educate yourself about what your constitutional rights are, why they were created, and why we must protect them... doing so, does not make you a "rebellion against authority" ... that is simply the label that "authorities" give people who won't allow our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO BE VIOLATED ... PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. Watching one KZbin video and reaching your conclusion is lazy and disrespectful to every life lost that gave you the rights you have today. Assuming you are from the US of course.

[@Sissy900]

Do Not forget the snake has 13 rattles.! 13 colonies.!

[@VikingVic76]

Cotton-mouth is a water moccasin while poisonous it is not a type of rattlesnake, there's a Western Diamondback, Eastern Diamondback, sidewinders Etc

[@matthewkuhl79]

The Gadsden flag is the banner of all living things. It represents us all.

[@BedouinPunk]

Thank you 🙌🏽

[@CyrusFreeman]

There isn't any controversy other than what people decided to make up. It's all quite recent, and it's all from people who very much support "treading". It still has just one meeting, and it's the same meaning that it had when it was made: LEAVE ME ALONE.

[@FrannB]

Can you make a video about Argentina?, a Libertarian candidate looks like is going to win the elections and he uses this flag, it's gonna be something historic for Argentina.

[@danboehm9088]

9:08 It's not a symbol of resistance to change. It's a symbol of change. Liberty was the change. And it's time we stopped forgetting that.

[@Mhatter12]

Thank you

[@ryanburbridge]

The eagle is definitely better for artwork though.

[@a1scoot]

I have a huge Gadsen flag patch on the back of my leather biker vest....No explanation needed.

[@Smedleydog1]

Didn't Franklin also suggest the turkey as the national bird?

[@stripmin41]

The Gadsden flag will always mean liberty to me and the immoral words of Benjamin Franklin. Those who trade Liberty for temporary freedom deserve neither.

[@Shademastermcc]

Immoral words?

[@stripmin41]

@@Shademastermcc immortal yourube putting words on my fingers. Paraphrasing BF

[@Shademastermcc]

@@stripmin41 yourube?

[@TheBigjake04]

Diamond Backs, Cotton Mouths , Vipers. Snake expert here.

[@watchout5508]

NO STEP ON SNEK!!

[@youn8e]

Franklin was also a 🧱🧱🧱 33° Is definitely embedded ‼️Ryan Zehms did a breakdown on the metrics in the design a year back‼️

[@spookymulder945]

Quality video. Thank you.

[@LearnLiberty]

Glad you liked it!

[@jussmith1670]

Keep rockn me with info Ty

[@sethdunlap9868]

My Irish friend asked me what the meaning of the flag I have on my clothes and truck... I asked him if he knew about rattlesnakes and he said yes... I then asked, "knowing what you know, would you ever walk up to one and just fuck with it with a stick? He said "no, why would someone be so....." , Then stopped and smiled. That was the moment he got it 😅

[@chipsdad5861]

Think of it this way, if you loved the character "Fat Albert" from the 70s and then found out that the person that created that beloved character was a rapist would you feel differently about the symbol.

[@dutchdykefinger]

False equivocation The gadsen flag never raped anyone Fuck you for even trying to convince anyone with that lie, shitclown

[@mtlicq]

Super presentation! (except for the injected video of the mustache guy with glasses)

[@johnb30021]

As a Nam Veteran when are they gonna teach true History in Schools from grade school to college ??? 🙏🏼♥️🇺🇸👍🏼✌🏼😢

[@chipsdad5861]

THE MEANING CHANGED, The Gadsden Flag was intentionally designed not to convey a racist message, but a patriotic one. Here are a few notes on the flag's symbolism, written by his friend and colleague, Ben Franklin. The rattlesnake also has sharp eyes, and "may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.

[@gorkyd7912]

History was rewritten with the bad guys saying that the good guys are actually the bad guys. Literally, the Democratic Party that fought to protect racism for hundred years telling people that this flag is racist. No, their policies are racist, but they already redefined racism so it's easy to convince anyone of anything.

[@horusfalcon]

And there is nothing wrong with vigilance. Nothing at all. Let us not confuse nor conflate that with vigilantism, however, which is an entirely different matter.

[@rodneybender6865]

I read somewhere years ago that the rattlesnake flag with a don't tread on me logo was the flag of the Culpeper Virginia militia during the revolutionary war

[@horusfalcon]

Our host does cover that in the video... let's see now... about 10:12 or so?

[@dagramirez]

Shot up to J-Rod, the kid from colorado, teaching his teacher about the flag

[@robertkaraczun8906]

I HEARD that there are 13 beads in the tail that makes the rattle sound. Please confirm if that is true.

[@mayanlogos92]

10:03 - got it 🐍

[@jeffgreen8541]

What part of "Don't tread on me" is everybody waiting on? I see it everywhere trucks, cars etc. It's lost it's meaning to many.

[@manfredschultz9619]

Don’t tread on me, but Bread and Circuses, keep em comin! Interesting tie-up of “jaaan siiiiixthh” at the end oooOooOoo

[@eudaenomic]

Thank you so much for the truth.

[@jamesranjithkumar]

"The Eagle is a bird of bad moral character that does not get his living honestly and is too lazy to fish for himself". Perfect description of Democrat and Republican parties.

[@89five3five]

I laugh when I see people have a thin blue line sticker next to a Gadsden flag sticker.

[@elizabeth-gl8ki]

Freedom!

[@waker1776]

It was a protest at the capitol not a raid...

[@1DwtEaUn]

Moultrie flag is next on the list to become "controversial"

[@newnew-jk2kh]

Don't tread on me.

[@aleintstein]

Strange thing the flag can be found on plates in a number of states. Virginia being one of them, which because of Northern Virginia counties, is a purple state. Wonder how long it will be offered in Virginia, I am sure some organization will complain.

[@ljsmooth69]

even though youknow if an absolutely try it on since before we were born

[@manners7483]

TLDR: Rattle snakes are meek.

[@That_Freedom_Guy]

The rattle snake broadcasts its intentions. Not advised in real battle! But no metaphor is perfect or it wouldn't be a metaphor! I like it!

[@horusfalcon]

One can broadcast one's intentions all one wishes when they have the overwhelming force to back up those intentions. In any other scenario, though, you're right -- it's sucker bet.

[@itsfine9136]

I thought Franklin wanted the turkey to be the nation's animal?

[@lexingtonconcord8751]

@ 4:36 Cotton mouths are not rattlesnakes

[@jamesrice6096]

I thought Ben Franklin wanted the turkey.