There are two broad categories of historical interpretation. Generally they are narrative history and chaos theory. Narrative history comes into focus with biography. Often a biography of a historical character, usually a leader during times of strife, will suggest that that person was responsible for navigating through the crisis. Chaos theory says that the conditions were already present and the leader was simply along for the ride. I am of the Great Man opinion. I think great men rise to the challenges and make a difference. Hitler and Trump might come to mind.

There are obvious examples, like Hitler and Churchill. The West won the war so Churchill is the hero and Hitler is the villain. That was a presumptuous statement. The presumption is that whoever wins the war gets to write the history books. That is true in the short term but History has a way of leveling out the playing field over time. Chaos theory suggests that the economic conditions in Europe after the first World War created the environment where a Hitler would arise- not necessarily Adolph – but the conditions dictated the necessity of a villainous dictator. And what would Churchill have been without Hitler? Churchill was the failed First Lord of the Admiralty of World War One. The loss at Gallipoli was largely placed on Churchill’s shoulders.

My take on the Hitler, Churchill, debate is simple. The economic chaos of Europe required an intervention but it was destined to be a murderous facetious dictator – The situation could have as easily produced a Tony Blair or a Franklin Roosevelt. But Hitler did rise. And he was met by England’s Stanly Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain. Baldwin and Chamberlain were both warned by Churchill of the snake in the grass. Their desire to be great peacemakers clouded their reason and they failed to prepare for the onslaught of Nazi Germany. Churchill rose up and saved the West – a great man.

Fast forward to the 21st Century. On September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was presented with an opportunity for greatness. President Bush responded initially – his assault on Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan was met with national and world support. But Bush tripped on his own shoelaces when he invaded Iraq. He lost the opportunity for greatness – it was his choices that defined his legacy. President Obama has the economic crisis of late 2008 and 2009 – the jury is out on his performance.

But President Obama is a Black man. For Donald Trump this was too much. Trump rose up to protest the brown murderers and rapists coming across our southern border. He tried to halt any Muslim from entering our country. His class warfare and racial denigration ultimately propelled him into the Presidency. As we noted these men did not exist in a vacuum. The chaos theory of situational leadership is not entirely out the window.

There is a question is being asked today. Did Trump lead our country into racial and class warfare or was the racial and class divide simmering and Trump merely responded, as the chaos theory proponents might suggest happened?

I continue to believe in the Great Man theory of history. The theory that suggest that one man (or woman) can make a difference. The examples of Hitler and Trump, and we could add Lenin, Stalin, and Mao, suggest that the Great Man is not always the good guy.