Eric Owens of the Daily Caller makes some interesting discoveries as he delves into a popular study guide for the AP European History exam.
The latest version of a top-selling study guide for the Advanced Placement European History exam explains the French Revolution with a chart which identifies Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a fascist and pairs him with the Ku Klux Klan.
“Barron’s AP European History” (7th edition) makes the claim, intended for consumption by American high school students, on page 168. The chart attempts to compare modern American political affiliations with the various factions involved in the French Revolution.
The chart moves politically from left to right.
The far right of the chart is labeled “fascist.” The authors demonstrate modern-day “fascists” by pairing “Clarence Thomas and the KKK” in the same box.
Barron’s typifies the far right during the French Revolution with “wealthy people who fled France.”
The far left of the same chart is labeled “Communist.” For the French Revolution, “poor city dwellers” represent the far left. For today’s politics, the authors choose “anarchists.”
The chart as a whole is convoluted yet crudely, embarrassingly simplified.
The definitions the authors use for the middle parts of their political spectrum (“leftist,” “liberal,” “moderate,” “conservative” and “right wing”) are dubious.
For example, they describe “conservative” as “those against change/most Republicans.” They describe “liberal” as “those in favor or gradual change…most Democrats.” …
… Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. flaunts itself as “Students’ #1 Choice” and “The Leader in Test Preparation.” It puffs the AP European History study guide as “the only book you will need to get the score you want.”
