Leon Trotsky

Definition

Leon Trotsky was a Marxist revolutionary and key figure in the Russian Revolution, known for his role as a leader in the Bolshevik Party and as the founder of the Red Army. His ideas and policies significantly influenced the early Soviet state, particularly through his advocacy for permanent revolution and opposition to Stalin's policies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Trotsky initially supported Lenin's ideas but later diverged from him on key issues, particularly on the strategy for achieving socialism.
2. After the October Revolution, Trotsky was appointed as the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs and later became the military leader responsible for the Red Army's successes during the Civil War.
3. Trotsky's opposition to Stalin's rise to power led to his eventual exile from the Soviet Union in 1929, where he continued to criticize Stalinist policies from abroad.
4. He was a prolific writer and thinker, producing many influential works on Marxism, revolution, and theory, which remain significant in leftist thought today.
5. Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico City in 1940 by an agent of Stalin, highlighting the intense political conflict between Trotskyists and Stalinists within the communist movement.

Review Questions

• How did Trotsky’s leadership influence the formation and success of the Red Army during the Russian Civil War?
  • Trotsky played a crucial role in organizing and leading the Red Army, implementing strict discipline and innovative strategies that were key to its successes. His military tactics included using former tsarist officers under strict supervision, which allowed for effective command while maintaining Bolshevik control. This combination of strategic prowess and organizational skills helped secure victory against various anti-Bolshevik forces during the Civil War.
• Analyze Trotsky's theory of Permanent Revolution and its significance within early Soviet politics.
  • Trotsky's theory of Permanent Revolution argued that socialism must be spread globally for it to succeed, contrasting with Stalin’s idea of 'socialism in one country.' This perspective emphasized international revolution as vital for sustaining socialism and countering imperialist pressures. Trotsky's beliefs directly challenged Stalin's policies, which prioritized national interests over international ones, influencing ideological debates within the Communist Party.
• Evaluate the impact of Trotsky’s exile on his legacy and on Soviet politics after his departure.
  • Trotsky's exile significantly shaped his legacy as an enduring symbol of opposition against Stalinism, solidifying his status among leftist factions globally. His critiques of Stalin’s policies led to an ideological divide within communism that persisted long after his death. The lack of Trotsky’s influence in Soviet politics allowed Stalin’s consolidation of power to go unchallenged for years, fundamentally altering the trajectory of Soviet ideology and governance.

Related terms

Bolshevik Party: A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that was led by Lenin and played a major role in the October Revolution of 1917, ultimately establishing a one-party communist state.

Red Army:

The military force established by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War, which Trotsky helped to organize and lead, crucial for the victory of the Bolsheviks.

Permanent Revolution: Trotsky's theory that socialist revolutions should be continuous and international in scope, arguing that the success of socialism depends on its spread to other countries.