issue48 12月高强组周五作业

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TOPIC: ISSUE48 - "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."
WORDS: 663          TIME: 1:00:00          DATE: 2006-12-22
Does the study of history place too much emphasis on individuals? Whether the famous few or groups of people made the most significant events and trends in history? In fact, both the famous few and groups of people play vital roles in the evolvement of human history and arbitrary ignorance of contribution made by any of them is inappropriate. Whereas, it is true that traditional history books give too much space to individuals more than that of majority who also deserve attention in the study of history.

People can not deny the significant part in which distinguished figures played in human history. These great figures with distinctive wisdom, perspicacious judgment, insightful visions acts as by no means just participants but more provident designers , even leaders. As the initiators of historical events, they bear more intensive desires to untaken historical tasks than populace and orient the direction of progress of human society. By exerting their influences on history progress, these famous few can determine, promote or obstruct history development. For example, the architect of German unification and the first chancellor of the united nation, Otto Von Bismarck transformed Germany from a loose collection of small states into the German Empire, the strongest industrialized nation in Europe. With extraordinary talent, he created German empire which permanently altered balance of power



Nevertheless, without the involvement of common people, it is difficult for prominent few to achieve their ultimate goals.  For instance, Chairman Mao, foremost Chinese Communist leader of the 20th century and the principal founder of the people's Republic of China, was a very competent leader whose momentous contribution is in the resistance against Japan and the founding of the People’s Republic of China. But, China would have been unable to defend itself without sacrifices of soldiers on the battle field. The effort of Chairman Mao can never been undermined. While, the battle of anti-Japanese war would never win without courageous plans made by other chiefs and the sacrifices of the martyrs who adhered to the principal that Chinese people will finally obtain their liberty. It is evident that a large amount of publicity available to admire great achievement of Chairman Mao, on the contrary, these people who were behind the scenes rarely get their share of credit. As a whole, these famous individuals would hard to success in their endeavors without the support and participation of their fellows whose efforts should be memorized by posterities. Unfortunately, history replete with stories about the glorious deeds of famous leaders or heroes is prone to forget voices of majority.

Furthermore, most noteworthy masterworks, innovations and movements in history are exertion of group of ordinary people who hose identities have rarely been mentioned in historical evolution. The well-known mirages of human architectural Chinese Great Wall, Egyptian Pyramid and Hanging Gardens of Babylon are strenuous effort of lots of workers nameless but only names of monarchies who forced construction of these tremendous projects due to their own selfish interests were recorded in historical books forever. Similarly, it was the philosophers, painters, literary authors, architects and scientists that initiated the renaissance. Yet, toady only Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Giotto are world renowned. Admittedly, key individuals due to their superior intelligence, unparalleled achievement are deserving of their reputation in history. However, overstating function of famous few would give people an illusion that human history was created only by few or excellent person. Unfair negligence of efforts of common majority to some extent is distortion of actual history.

In summary, the headways of human history are made by both eminent geniuses and common populace. Just like a ship voyaging in the sea, these famous few are compass which present clear direction and make the ship well-oriented. While the common many tried their best to sail safely and swiftly in the history river.