Compare and Contrast Oaths of Allegiance

Today, examples of taking oaths may include when providing testimony in a court case, becoming a US citizen, by members of the military or public employees when beginning their employment, by doctors, and by people when they are married. Students might mention the Pledge of Allegiance as an example of being asked to show allegiance. Share with students the dictionary definition of the words oath and allegiance:

Oath

• a serious promise that you will do what you have said
• a public pledge that a person will perform some action or duty
• statement of fact or a promise taken by a person

Allegiance

• loyalty and support for a ruler, country, group, or belief
• the act of binding yourself to a course of action

Based on the definitions, ask students to discuss:

• When do people take oaths?
• Why is it required that people take an oath in these situations?
• When have you been asked to show allegiance?

Have students look closely at either George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, or Aaron Burr’s Oath of Allegiance. Then ask students: 

• Who or what are people swearing allegiance to? Who or what did the signer renounce? 
• What was the oath-taker promising to do? 
• What information was handwritten onto the oath? How does this information help us contextualize the document within the American Revolution?

Take it beyond the Continental Army’s Oaths of Allegiance and have students read the Oath of Allegiance to the King George III. 

Ask Students:

• Compare and contrast the oath to King George III with the previous oaths.
• What event led to this oath being necessary? Why are people being asked to take this oath? 
• Who or what are the oath-takers promising allegiance to? 
• Which oath would you take and why?