what does "historical imperative" mean?

Rod   Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:55 am GMT
my reference books fail to give me a final answer, nor Google stands up for what it is really about. there is something about "moral imperative","economic imperative",but then "historical imperative"? thanks.
Guest   Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:39 pm GMT
The Bolshevik revolution was a historical imperative. Never before did the right conditions for the revolution exist. Never again would the right conditions exist again, if the historical opportunity had been ignored.
Rod   Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:42 pm GMT
i appreiciate your efforts to illustrating some details with a doubtless occasion.
Leasnam   Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:40 pm GMT
An historical imperative would be simply a duty or strong reason to carry out something due to purely historical reasons.

For instance, when the Southern US States seceded from the Union before the Civil War, the Commonwealth of Virginia was reluctant to follow suit, but due to *historical imperative* (i.e. a long-standing historical relationship with the other Southern states) it felt the need to secede.

Hope this helps.