As we reflect on the last few years of events in our country, we can appreciate the meaning behind “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”. We have witnessed havoc throughout our communities and this havoc has stemmed from within our own country and society. We have fought wars and succeeded through endless battles to become as free and flourishing as we are today. However, these successes must be celebrated with unity, not division, or else why are they an accomplishment at all? Americans continue to take their freedoms for granted by dividing over anything and everything they are told is right.
Division amongst We The People will destroy our liberty and independence quicker than any other outside force can. Here I would like to discuss the significance of “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” in a generation that has become ignorant of liberty and freedom.
This phrase can be related back to many speeches, songs, mottos, and famous quotes, but where did we adopt such a moving notion? The phrase dates back to the Greek storyteller Aesop in the 6th Century B.C. In his fable, he used it in two different contexts.
In The Four Oxen, he used the phrase to demonstrate the strength in many oxens against the lion versus just one. This reiterates the capability of strength in a group when joined in as one.
"A lion used to prowl about a field in which four oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near, they turned their tails to warn another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a- quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in the separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.
United we stand, divided we fall."
It was also implied a second time in the notable Bundle of Sticks, portraying once again the notion of strength in numbers. This phrase would go on to be used time and time again throughout the future in not only America, but the entire world. While it may change in text, the meaning remains the same.
"... do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with each other and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in that bundle."
This phrase can also be found implied in biblical references from the New Testament as follows:
Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
Mark 3:25
And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.
Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
“United We Stand, Divided We Fall” has a place in the history of many countries. India heavily promoted it when the country was seeking independence from the British Empire in 1941. Winston Churchill used it in his message to the US from London when receiving his honorary degree in 1941.
While we could explore the many countries who have adopted this phrase, lets focus on our own soil here in America. What does the phrase mean to us American citizens?
John Dickinson
In 1768, a pre-revolutionary time period, John Dickinson included this phrase in the fourth verse of his historically famous song, Liberty Song. The song went on to be published in 2 different Pennsylvania newspapers at the time, making headlines!
The song was significant to the colonies freeing themselves from the rule of England and became a popular notion of anti-British expression. John Dickinson was a founding father who went on the sign the Constitution for our country before his passing in 1808. He was nicknamed “Penman of the Revolution” because of his ability to put the ideals and morals of our new country onto paper while also assisting in the creation of our US Constitution.
The Union Motto
Shortly after Dickinson had coined this phrase, Kentucky announced its entrance into the Union in 1792. Kentucky went on to use this phrase for a state motto! A few years later, we heard the now famous phrase in a speech from Patrick Henry.
Henry gave a significant and moving speech to the public in 1799 stating,
“United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.”
This was recorded as Henry’s very last speech before becoming ill and passing away the same year. It was also recorded that Henry fell into the hands of the crowd before being carried off to rest after the speech. Perhaps his most memorable statement was,
“Give me liberty or give me death”.
Moving forward, it becomes apparent that his messages to the public were received as our country progressively developed over the next 100 years.
Abraham Lincoln
The phrase was used in a similar context right before the Civil War by the great Abraham Lincoln as he gave a speech to the public in his race for Senate declaring,
“...a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Although Abraham was fairly new to politics at the time and was unsuccessful in his race against Stephen Douglas, his speech was proven to be impactful as it became a demonstration of unity in the upcoming Civil War and was used to support the need for an agreement against slavery across all of the states.
The union army chanted this saying as a cry for coming together during the war and in 1864 it was used for the first time in a prominent civil war illustration. The illustration was famously created by Thomas Nast and became a staple portrait of American Patriotism. It depicted Lincoln as bringing together the north and the south as he offered his hand to a rebel soldier.
World War II
In World War II, we saw the phrase reappear again amongst our soldiers and country. It was a phrase that instilled hope and determination throughout the allied nations. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands even used it in her letter addressed to the US Congress stating,
“United we stand, and united we will achieve victory.”
This letter went on to be published in numerous magazines and papers, becoming a staple of the time period and always surrounded by the patriotic illustrations of stars and stripes. From this point on, the phrase was adopted as a common analogy within our military and was a driving force behind the unifying energy and resilience that won us many successes for our land of the free. It became more than a quote; it was a symbol of our understanding and appreciation for liberty and independence.
September 11th, 2001
The tragic events on 9/11 in 2001 also lead to the use of this phrase, aiming to keep the community unified with hope for our country after devastating aftermaths.
“Always remember, United We Stand”.
This phrase was seen in papers, memorials, speeches and remembrance ceremonies for many years to come and is still used today when reflecting on the country's strength to overcome.
Symbols of Freedom
Today the phrase is not only continuously used in significant speeches and among our leadership, but has also been adopted throughout the states. Missouri has it displayed on their state flag and it's also seen on the license plate of South Carolina. It's also been used in famous songs and is quoted by some of the most notable figures of our century.
While “United We Stand” was a leading patriotic saying of our country's making, today it is used far less. American patriotism has become stigmatized as extremist behavior by the Democratic party and
mainstream media. Although we can feel and witness the ongoing and progressive division of our society, patriotism continues to be avoided by liberal society. The new generation of Americans have used the very privileges our country has lost thousands of lives for to cause division and separation amongst each other.
Our skin color, freedom of speech, and belief systems have become the center of a line between us. This has caused riots, crime, the splitting of communities and families. What Americans are not seeing is the big picture; our division is harming no other society but our own. We remained unified for many centuries to fight off outside power and control. How have we come to this place of division?
Ignorance of history and lack of appreciation for constitutional liberties have been significant factors. As Americans, it is our duty to come together as We The People and separate ourselves from the lunacy of manipulated media and propaganda and rise again as the masses of this free country. If we continue down a path of division, we invite government overreach and the detrimental possibility of conflicts that will destroy our country such as communism, socialism, and foreign interference.
Now is a time to teach your children about the history of their freedom and the country they are privileged to live in.
Similar to Aesop’s fable, we must stick together and avoid falling to failure through our own division.
“All for one and one for all.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” ― Winston S. Churchill
“One love, one heart . . .
Let’s get together and feel all right” ― Bob Marley
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
“The deepest of level of communication is not communication, but communion. It is wordless ... beyond speech ... beyond concept.”
― Thomas Mertonaph