The Great Person Theory: Is It a Valid Interpretation of History
Term Paper
The subject of the term paper is: “The Great Person Theory: Is It a Valid Interpretation of History?” This has been a point of controversy and historians have always adhered to divergent views. Perhaps the most illustrious and divergent views were those of the Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) and the British historian Arnold Toynbee (1889–1975). Carlyle’s support for the Great Person Theory was expressed in his most famous quote: “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” Toynbee, on the other hand, believed that history should be an account of the birth, maturing, aging and death of societies, and he paid little attention to the role or influence of individual leaders in the historical process. He believed that economic, intellectual and religious movements determine the course of history.
Solution preview
Throughout the ages, people have different interpretations of various situations, events and occurrences. Therefore, with this uniqueness, individuals have different perceptions and interpretations of history. While some regard history with concentration on the great people or the heroes, other people disregard the notion terming it rubbish and establishing that mass recognition makes history………………
APA
2375 words