Final answer:
The principal lesson from the statement is that history is subjective, reflecting the perspective of the victors who write it. As such, the correct answer is b) History is subjective. Historians shape history by what they choose to include, exclude, and how they interpret the evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary lesson conveyed in the statement, "It's that history is whatever the victors say it is. That's the lesson. Whoever wins, that's who decides the history," is that history is subjective. This means that the way history is recorded and taught can be influenced by those in power who have emerged victorious in different conflicts or eras. As such, history can reflect the perspectives and biases of those victors rather than a balanced account of events.
Hence, the correct answer to the question would be b) History is subjective. This interpretation aligns with the understanding that history is not just a straightforward record of facts, but a narrative shaped by historians who choose what to include and exclude based on their own biases and the context of their time. It is a reflection of the historian's interpretation as much as it is of the past events themselves.
Moreover, it's the historian's duty to try to provide a clear and honest depiction of the past, without using history as a means to obscure the darker aspects of human nature or to justify previous generations' actions.