Page "Hugh Trevor-Roper" Paragraph 23

The conflict centers around what factors must be present in order for a society to qualify as having a “ history ,” which Trevor-Roper thought required documentable evidence of if and how a society's “ movement ” toward change and development was accomplished.

Many historians have agreed with this central claim but think historical evidence should also include oral traditions as well as an established system of written history, which had previously been the litmus test for a society having left " prehistory " behind.

Other critics of Trevor-Roper ’ s claim have questioned the validity of systematic interpretations of the African past, whether by materialist, Annalist, or, like Trevor-Roper, conservative methods.

Still others have gone as far as saying that all approaches which compare Africa with Europe or directly integrate it into European history are not sufficient for an accurate description of African societies and cultures.

Nevertheless, although virtually all scholars now agree that Africa qualifies as having a “ history ," Trevor-Roper's statements played an indirect, but important role in the development of post-colonial African studies by motivating wide-ranging discussions about Africa ’ s role in the present and historical world.