Misquoting History

It seems to be the trend lately to quote historical figures in order to make an argument or a statement regarding current political issues. They quote Thomas Jefferson, historians like Edward Gibbson, and more in order to express sentiments about tyranny, freedom, and rights. However, most of these quotes are taken out of context. It is often forgotten that these statements are made in response to different circumstances in an era with different concerns, beliefs, and moral and ethical standards.

Edward Gibbson, a historian from the 1700s, wrote about the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. In which he argued that the Roman Empire fell because Christianity made it weak. In the last two hundred years, historian after historian has discredited his work. Proving him wrong time and time again. However, people are still taking quotes, out of context in order to make their arguments about the state of freedom and rights in the world today.

Less than a hundred years ago, historians made claims about how the only viable history was that which focused on the actions of 'great white men.' They focused on a very euro-centric view of history and ignored most of the contributions of the rest of the world. These historians are not viewed with the same credibility as more recent historical work and scholars. How can we take the words of a man from the 1700s with such seriousness.

Thomas Jefferson wrote during a period of post-war nation building. His words were the result of a chaotic period in which the future of the small nation was very uncertain. They were designed in a fashion to maintain order in a world where the threat of invasion and being conquered was a very real threat. Taking his words and using them to support recent and current political agendas assumes that the state of the world is the same as it was then. However, this is not the case.

No two periods in history are ever the same. Circumstances are always different. Events never play out the same way twice. The famous phrase 'history repeats itself' is a lie. History does not repeat itself. Things are always different and contingent upon many varying factors. Therefore, using quotes from previous historical figures instead of current facts, is a bit like saying that a horse and buggy is just as effective as the newest car off the sales lot.