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History of the Pledge of Allegiance (US)

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 3600secs

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the very first version of a pledge to the United States?

a)

We pledge to do our duty to god and country.

b)

E Pluribis Unum

c)

We give our heads and hearts to God and our country; one country, one language, one flag!

d)

We, the people, only regret that I have but one life to lose for our country.

2.

Who wrote the first pledge?

When was it written?

a)

Captain George T. Balch, 1887

b)

Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch, 1776

c)

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, 1888

d)

Elizabeth Griscom Ross, 1752

3.

How many words are in the current pledge?

a)

31

b)

35

c)

25

d)

32

4.

Who wrote the second version of the Pledge of Allegiance? Hint: It is often mistaken for the first version because it became more popular than the original.

a)

Francis Scott Key

b)

Benjamin Franklin

c)

Betsy Ross

d)

Francis Bellamy

5.

A republic is which type of government?

a)

A govt. where the people elect their representatives

b)

A govt. where there is a King or Queen

c)

A govt. where the leader has taken over by military force

d)

A govt. where the leader is not chosen by the people

6.

Which would be the next word in the Pledge? "One Nation, under God, indivisible...

a)

to

b)

the

c)

with

d)

it

7.

Bellamy wanted to include the words, equality and fraternity, in his version of the Pledge but decided against it because:

a)

the U.S. Congress didn't want students to think that they could all go to Frat parties paid for by the US government.

b)

he (Bellamy) was a Socialist and believed equality and fraternity were important citizenship ideals.

c)

School Superintendents were against equality for women & African Americans so they wouldn't use a pledge with those words.

d)

he (Bellamy) thought the words were too difficult for school children, especially immigrants, to understand.

8.

An allegiance could be best described as someone breaking a promise

a)

True

b)

False

9.

Why did “my flag” change to “the Flag of the United States of America” in 1924?

a)

It was changed to "my flag" since so many people had personal flags.

b)

The phrase was changed as part of the Americanization process so immigrants would know that the Pledge was for the USA.

c)

Bellamy's grandson wanted to change the wording.

d)

The President of the United States thought it sounded better.

10.

The complete, official name of our country.

a)

Illinois

b)

Allegiance

c)

United States of America

d)

America

11.

Which would be the next word in the Pledge? "And to the Republic...

a)

for

b)

stands

c)

with

d)

it

12.

Which of the following terms best describes the word liberty?

a)

Freedom

b)

Slavery

13.

Which of the following words does not describe the term "justice" well?

a)

fairness

b)

Equality

c)

impartiality

d)

Dishonesty

14.

Why was the phrase "under God" added to the Pledge?

a)

"Under God" was added to the pledge as part of the response of the United States to the Holocaust in WWII.

b)

"Under God" was added to the pledge because the President of the US was very religious.

c)

"Under God" was added to the pledge because back then everybody believed in God and went to church or Temple or some other holy building.

d)

"Under God" was added to the pledge as part of the response of the United States to the Cold War against Communist governments.

15.

Making sure the laws are fair for everyone

a)

Indivisible

b)

Sacrifice

c)

Justice

d)

Liberty

16.

Being loyal; thinking and acting like a friend

a)

Sacrifice

b)

Justice

c)

Pledge

d)

Allegiance

17.

What decision did the Supreme Court make in 1943 regarding the pledge?

a)

The Supreme Court decided you need to be an American citizen to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

b)

The Supreme Court decided that only school children should recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

c)

The Supreme Court decided that freedom of expression overrides the goal of national unity so no one is forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

d)

The Supreme Court decided that everyone needs to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

18.

Which definition best describes indivisible?

a)

That which cannot be divided

b)

Fairness

c)

A government in which people elect their own representatives

d)

Equality

19.

To promise

a)

Pledge

b)

Republic

c)

Liberty

d)

Flag

20.

What is the study of flags called?

a)

verve

b)

vivacious

c)

vexillology

d)

venomous