Many of America’s persistent philosophies—including individual liberties, limited government, and the Second Amendment—follow this paradigm, presupposing an evil “them” attacking a chosen “us.” Why would Gadsden’s flag read “Don’t tread on me” unless he assumed someone trying to tread? America’s early religious refugees did not in turn practice tolerance. The Puritan colony quashed dissent with particular zeal, banning Catholics and hanging Quakers.
