History may be understood through two lenses: linear progress and cyclical recurrence. The linear view, seen in Hegel, Marx, and Fukuyama, sees history moving toward greater freedom, justice, or ideological maturity. The cyclical view, seen in Ibn Khaldun, Vico, Spengler, and Toynbee, emphasizes recurring patterns of rise, prosperity, decay, and collapse. The article concludes that these views are not necessarily opposites, and explains the consequences of ignoring either perspective.