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Lev TrotskiyRussian professional revolutionary, publicist, theorist of socialism, military leader.
Date of Birth: 26.10.1879
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Political Awakening
- Revolution and Exile
- World War I and the Russian Revolution
- Role in the Soviet Government and the Red Army
- Intra-Party Conflicts
- Expulsion and Assassination
Early Life and Political Awakening
Leon Davidovich Bronstein (Trotsky's birth name) was born on October 26, 1879, in Yanovka, Ukraine. His initial exposure to socialist thought came in 1896 while attending the Nikolaev Real School. Under the influence of Aleksandra Lvovna Sokolovskaya, who later became his first wife, Bronstein became actively involved in Marxist study groups.
Revolution and Exile
In 1898, Trotsky and Sokolovskaya established the South Russian Workers' Union, leading to their arrest and four-year exile in Irkutsk. During his time there, he joined a group of Marxists centered around the newspaper "Iskra." In 1902, Trotsky escaped exile and arrived in London, where he quickly established connections with Lenin.
At the Second Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) in London in 1903, Trotsky broke with Lenin's authoritarian approach to party organization. He aligned with the Mensheviks, who advocated for a broader, more democratic party structure.
Returning to Russia after the "Bloody Sunday" massacre of 1905, Trotsky played a leading role in the St. Petersburg Soviet. He was arrested and penned his book "Results and Prospects," which analyzed the 1905 revolution from the perspective of his theory of "permanent revolution."
After escaping from exile again, Trotsky settled in Vienna in 1907. He published the Russian-language newspaper "Pravda," which gained widespread distribution in Russia, particularly among workers in St. Petersburg.
World War I and the Russian Revolution
In 1914, Trotsky published "War and the International," denouncing the "capitulationism" of European social democratic leaders and calling for the formation of Socialist United States of Europe. After moving to Paris, he joined the Zimmerwald Conference, the precursor to the Third International, and authored its manifesto.
Returning to Russia in 1917, Trotsky initially affiliated with the Inter-District Organization of United Social Democrats but soon emerged as one of the leading Bolsheviks. He played a crucial role in the October Revolution, coining the term "Soviet of People's Commissars" for the new Soviet government and serving as its first Commissar of Foreign Affairs.
Role in the Soviet Government and the Red Army
In December 1917, Trotsky led the Soviet delegation at the Brest-Litovsk peace negotiations. He advocated for a "no war, no peace" policy, stalling for time in the hope of revolutions in Central Europe.
In March 1918, Trotsky assumed the post of War Commissar, overseeing the formation of the Red Army and leading its efforts in the Russian Civil War. He also played a pivotal role in restoring Russia's shattered transportation system.
Intra-Party Conflicts
By 1922, Trotsky had joined forces with Lenin to combat the growing bureaucratization of the party under Stalin's leadership. However, Stalin's "troika" (with Zinoviev and Kamenev) resisted Trotsky's efforts to restore party democracy.
In 1923, the "troika" thwarted Trotsky's plan for a German uprising, leading to a crisis within the Bolshevik Party. Divisions deepened over intra-party democracy, with Trotsky advocating for its restoration while Stalin and his allies cracked down on opposition.
Expulsion and Assassination
After Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin maneuvered to prevent Trotsky's succession. He was removed from his position as War Commissar and ultimately expelled from the party in 1927.
Trotsky faced further persecution, including exile to Alma-Ata and deportation to Turkey. Despite his efforts to mobilize opposition to Stalin, he was forcibly deported to Mexico in 1937.
On August 21, 1940, Trotsky was assassinated by Ramón Mercader, an agent of Stalin's secret police. He died in Coyoacán, Mexico, at the age of 60.