Just as Darwin discovered the development law of biology, Marx and Engels discovered the development law of human society. In the view of Marx and Engels, in the final analysis, it is not the wishes and concepts of outstanding figures that determine social development, but the development of material conditions for social survival, the production of material materials necessary for social survival, and the changes in production methods (including productivity and production relations). As we all know, before engaging in political, scientific and artistic activities, human beings must first have food, clothing and shelter, but in order to obtain these material materials, human beings must carry out labor production. Therefore, social history is first of all the history of production development and production mode replacement, but also the history of material producers themselves, that is, the history of working people as the basic force in the production process and the history of people of all countries.
The masses of the people are also the ultimate force that determines the fate of society politically. Marxism has proved that all human history (except primitive communist society) that exists so far is the history of class struggle. Class struggle is the driving force of social development and revolution is the locomotive of history. The transition from one mode of production to another can only be achieved through class struggle. One social system is replaced by another higher social system, which can only be achieved through revolution, and revolution is the sharpest form of class struggle. That is to say, in class society, the struggle of the masses, the struggle of the oppressed and exploited classes against the oppressors and exploiters, such as the struggle of slaves against slave owners, the struggle of farmers against landlords and the struggle of the proletariat against the bourgeoisie, are the basic contents and main driving forces of historical development. The most basic, decisive and main force of every revolution in history is the people. Especially in the revolutionary period and the war of liberation, when millions of people organized to take an active part in the struggle, the great power of the people became more obvious. Lenin said: "At any other time, it is impossible for the people to become active creators of the new social system as in the revolutionary period. In such a period, the people can create incredible miracles from the narrow vision of bourgeois gradualism. " 1 1. Even in the spiritual and cultural fields, the masses of the people play a huge role. This is not only because when people engage in spiritual and cultural activities, they must first rely on people's labor to have material materials to maintain their lives, but also because people's life and creativity are the source of wisdom and inspiration for all poets, writers and scholars. Language is created by the people. Many great epics, songs and myths were also created by the people. All great literary and artistic works are closely related to the people and reflect their thoughts and lives. Comrade Mao Zedong said: "People used to have mineral deposits of literary and artistic raw materials in their lives ... they were the inexhaustible source of all literature and art" (12). All scientific inventions were made possible because of the needs of the working people at that time, which also provided conditions for the people's production and struggle at that time. Gorky said: "Man is not only the power to create all material values, but also the only and infinite source of spiritual values ..." In particular, in the era of socialist revolution and socialist construction, the role of the people has been greatly strengthened. When * * * was founded, the people, under the leadership and guidance of * * *, constantly improved their awareness and organization, and their role was increasingly strengthened. However, history has proved that the deeper the social reform, the wider and more active the people involved in the reform. In the era of socialist revolution and socialist construction, far more people will take part in the revolutionary struggle than in any previous revolution, and give full play to their initiative, enthusiasm and creativity in order to get rid of all kinds of exploitation and build a life in which the people are masters of their own affairs. The creativity of the people who were suppressed in the old society will be liberated and brought into full play. Under the leadership of * * *, the people are consciously creating their own history.
As far as everyone is concerned, he "created" his own "history" in a sense, that is, he wrote his own individual "history" through his own life. But this can't be equated with creating social historical paintings, otherwise it will come to a simple conclusion that "everyone creates history". There is a difference between the creator and the participant of history. Only those who conform to the inevitability and regularity of economic development and social development and promote social development are the creators of history.
People are the main body of history. People are the creators of social material wealth and spiritual wealth, and the decisive force to realize social change. People's creation of history is restricted by historical conditions, that is, by certain economic conditions, political conditions and spiritual conditions, and by the objective laws of social development.
The role of individuals in history.
While advocating that people play a decisive role in the process of creating history, historical materialism fully affirms the role of individuals, especially outstanding figures, in social history. The appearance of historical figures embodies the unity of inevitability and contingency. On the one hand, "the times make heroes", and the emergence of any hero is the need of the times and the product of social and historical development. On the other hand, the emergence of heroes also depends on specific historical environment, subjective conditions, opportunities and other accidental factors.
Historical figures are often the parties to historical events, the initiators and organizers of historical tasks, and they play an accelerating or delaying role in historical development. No matter how great the role of historical figures is, it cannot exceed the role of the masses, nor can it determine the basic trend of historical development. The nature and size of the role of historical figures depend on whether they correctly reflect the objective laws of historical development, and on their historical conditions and personal talents and qualities.
The role of individuals in history is different. According to the influence of individuals on history, they can be divided into ordinary individuals and historical figures. Historical figures refer to people who have played an important role in the process of social development. Historical figures can be divided into outstanding historical figures and reactionary historical figures according to the nature of their influence on history, that is, whether they promoted social development or not. Outstanding people refer to those who reflect the requirements of the times, represent the interests of the progressive class or stratum, and have a significant role in promoting social development, including outstanding politicians, thinkers, scientists, artists, military strategists and so on. Reactionary historical figures refer to those famous figures who move against the historical trend and hinder social development.
The report of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out: "The working class and the broad masses of peasants, including intellectuals, have always been the fundamental forces to promote the development of advanced productive forces and all-round social progress in China." To mobilize all positive factors, the first thing is to mobilize the enthusiasm of workers and farmers. To represent the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, we must first represent the interests of the overwhelming majority of workers and peasants. Because meeting the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people is always related to the overall situation of the party's governance, the overall situation of the country's economic, political and cultural development, and the overall situation of the unity of the people of all ethnic groups and social stability. We should mobilize all positive factors most extensively and fully, and constantly add new strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Unite with people from new social strata who have emerged in social changes, encourage their entrepreneurial spirit, protect their legitimate rights and interests, commend outstanding elements among them, and form a situation in which each can do his best and live in harmony.
People are the creators and subjects of history. The report of the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out: "The interests of the overwhelming majority of the people and the enthusiasm and creativity of the whole society and the whole nation are always the most decisive factors for the development of the cause of the party and the country." This is the basic viewpoint of Marxism that we must establish and firmly adhere to. Our party must always represent the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people, believe in and rely on the people, and must respect labor, knowledge, talents and creation.