Leon Trotsky

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Leon Trotsky

Leon Trotsky, born Lev Davidovich Bronstein on November 7, 1879, was a Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist, and Soviet politician. He was a key figure in the Bolshevik victory in the Russian Civil War (1918–1923) and the establishment of the Soviet Union. Trotsky was a founding leader of the Red Army and served as the People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs. He was also a prominent leader of the Left Opposition against Joseph Stalin in the 1920s.

Early Life

Trotsky was born in Yanovka, in the Kherson Governorate of the Russian Empire (now in Ukraine), to a wealthy Jewish farming family. He was educated in Odessa and Mykolayiv before becoming involved in revolutionary activities as a teenager. In 1898, he was arrested for his involvement in Marxist activities and exiled to Siberia, where he adopted the pseudonym "Trotsky."

Revolutionary Activities

Trotsky escaped from Siberia in 1902 and joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP). He initially aligned with the Menshevik faction but later joined the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin. Trotsky played a significant role in the 1905 Russian Revolution and was elected chairman of the St. Petersburg Soviet.

Role in the October Revolution

In 1917, Trotsky returned to Russia and became a key leader in the Bolshevik Revolution. He was elected chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and played a crucial role in the October Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of Bolshevik rule.

Civil War and the Red Army

As Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs, Trotsky was instrumental in organizing and leading the Red Army during the Russian Civil War. His leadership and strategic acumen were vital in securing Bolshevik victory against the White Army and foreign intervention forces.

The Left Opposition

After Lenin's death in 1924, Trotsky became a leading critic of Joseph Stalin's policies and the bureaucratization of the Soviet state. He led the Left Opposition, advocating for rapid industrialization and international revolution. However, he was outmaneuvered by Stalin, who consolidated power and expelled Trotsky from the Communist Party in 1927.

Exile and Assassination

Trotsky was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1929 and lived in various countries, including Turkey, France, and Norway, before settling in Mexico. In exile, he continued to write and criticize Stalin's regime. On August 20, 1940, Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico City by Ramón Mercader, a Soviet agent.

Legacy

Trotsky's ideas and writings, particularly his theory of permanent revolution, have had a lasting impact on Marxist thought and revolutionary movements worldwide. Despite his expulsion from the Soviet Union, Trotsky remains a significant figure in the history of socialism and communism.

Also see

• Russian Revolution
• Bolsheviks
• Joseph Stalin
• Vladimir Lenin
• Marxism
• Permanent Revolution