I think I know what David is driving at, that man is somehow caught in the currents of historical events like a piece of driftwood in the ocean. And I will admit that there does sometimes seems to be Tides, at least of emotion, that sweep over a people like lemmings running over a cliff, or a stampeding herd.
However, history, is the product of choices made by men. Some of those choices made by people, especially in leadship, are intended to create those tides of emotions, and some consequences of those choices are unintended, and yet they do create those same tides.
For example: Was Lincoln's Emancipation Proclaimation intended to strenghten the resolve of the Southerner to fight harder?
It does not matter whether he intended that effect, or not, that is what happened. Was that a tide or current in history? I don't believe so. What it was, was an action made by a man for one reason or another, that seemed to validate a self fullfilling prophecy.
The southerners believe that the North intended to create a slave rebellion, which was the stated purpose of the abolishionist movement from the time of John Browns raid and before. Lincoln's choice to sign the E.P. simply seemed to be a part of that stated plan, therefore it validated that belief.
It would seem even now that we ourselves are caught in just such a tide of emotions that is sweeping us into an uncertain future. But I will also say that it is the choices of men that are moving these events and creating such emotions.