The Pledge Of Allegiance By Francis Bellamy

“With liberty and justice for all” is undoubtedly one of the most commonly spoken phrases in America. Unfortunately, when most Americans speak this phrase, the meaning does not carry through. This closing line from The Pledge of Allegiance, written by Francis Bellamy, aims to show how society during the 1900s needed to be inspired and more actively patriotic (Deppner). With this pledge Bellamy intended to instill the American citizens with a sense of pride and satisfaction in their country. Francis Bellamy, author of the original Pledge of Allegiance, lived a full life. He worked for a magazine company called The Youth’s Companion. In order to boost magazine sales and push the schoolhouse flag movement forward, The Youth’s Companion planned

Throughout the course of history, several changes were made. Originally it said “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. His intent was to keep it short and to the point (“Pledge of Allegiance”). The first major change to the pledge was made in 1923. The words “my flag” were changed to “the flag of the United States of America” ( Deppner). This was done to emphasize that the nation being discussed was, in fact, America (“Pledge of Allegiance”). The reason for this was simple. During this time period in American history many immigrants were coming to the United States. The phrase “my flag” could be read as the flag of the country in which they were born, not the United States. The final, and probably most controversial, addition to the pledge was “under god”, made on Flag Day in 1954. These changes are the reason that Bellamy’s original pledge is the speech that we have come to know it as

The main reference he used, however, was the civil war and how Americans should be filled with pride because many men sacrificed their lives so that everyone could be free. The phrase he used to do this is “for all”. It shows that our country is a land where anyone can have dreams and goals. Also, the phrase “one nation” showed that despite small conflicts like the civil war, America would always be one great nation filled with freedom and opportunity. Along similar lines, the phrase “liberty and justice” alludes to the Revolutionary War. This was the war where the British commoners fought for their independence against England. They fought to have their own say in government and rights to do what they wanted without having to go through the king of England first. Through the use of these allusions, Bellamy is able to show how America has persevered even in the toughest times. Furthermore, he shows that despite all odds, America still remains one of the few countries where citizens are free to make choices for themselves and speak out against injustices in government. That, in Bellamy’s eyes, is truly something that all American citizens should be proud