48. The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most significant events and trends in history were made possible not by the famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten.
History as a mirror is used to represent a study of the past—a study not only of great heroes of history who successfully worked through moral dilemmas, but also of many ordinary people who provided lessons in courage, diligence, or constructive protest.I strongly agree with the statement that history is made possible not by a famous few but by groups of people whose identities might have long been forgotten.
Undoubtedly, there are few famous individuals who are excellent representatives of specific period of history. Take George Washington, the first president of the United States, as the first example, his role in gaining independence for the American colonies and later in unifying them under the new U.S. federal government cannot be overestimated. Washington was the revered man in the United States after the victory won. He earns people's respect and admiration, and later generations have crowned this tribute with the simple title "Father of His Country". Another American president—Abraham Lincoln, who successfully led his country through the American Civil War and abolished slavery is also a famous leader in history. Till now, they still remind temporary people of those significant events and trends in their ages.
However, those famous few are only leaders in significant events and trends, without the power and support of common people they would have achieved nothing. In history, each great event were achieve by common people eventually, those who goes against the will of common people would finally be annihilated. For instance, Hitler abused his power and acted as an autocrat, he invaded other countries with the ambition to control the whole world. On the contrary, the will of people around the world is peace and freedom, and they would fight with any power to protect their dream and rights.Therefore Hitler's destiny of failure is not surprising because he chose to be the enemy of common people. In contrast, Washington get the support of American people and thereby he could win the War of Independence. Thus, the will of common people is a great power that would destroy anything that goes against it, without it even an able leader cannot change history.
Moreover, many great wonders were built by uncounted hands of common people The Great Wall in China is achieved through hundreds of years, from generation to generation. We cannot say this wonder belongs to any people or any dynasty, it belongs to the common people . Those grandiose wonders are magnificent marks in human history, they represent ancient people’s intelligence and diligence. Without the labor of uncounted common people , there would not have the wonderful world today and there is no doubt that ancient people create history with their hands.
Therefore, too much emphasis on individuals in the study of history might not be wise and scientific. The famous individuals are just like some conjunctions that link the history, while the common people are catalysts who have the power to propel the progress of history. Although history
bibliophiles can just record the famous few, we should make it clear that common people make the greatest contribution with their labor, intelligence and even lives. So next time we consider the independence of American, we should not just say it is inevitable because Washington is the leader, while the fact is that every American had the will of freedom and independence.
To sum up, those famous few make great contribution in history, however, the real founders of history are those uncounted common people rather than the famous few.