Full Idea
The 'history of humanity' must always be studied and treated in relation to the history of industry and exchange.
Gist of Idea
Human history must always be studied in relation to industry and exchange
Source
K Marx / F Engels (The German Ideology [1846], §1.A)
Book Reference
Marx,K./Engels,F.: 'The German Ideology', ed/tr. Arthur,C.J. [Lawrence and Wishart 1985], p.50
A Reaction
There is a lot of truth in this, but why did the Greeks produce Pythagoras, or the Jews produce Jesus, or the British produce Sid Vicious? Two very similar industrial societies can produce very different cultures. Individuals can make a difference.