History is not like some individual person, which uses men to achieve its ends. History is nothing but the actions of men in pursuit of their ends.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- History is not a person using people, but the sum of people's actions toward their goals.
- In plain terms
- History equals what people do to achieve their aims.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on human agency in shaping history.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much do structures limit individual agency?
- Can history be fully explained by personal goals?
Another view
Simplifies complex structural forces.
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