Leon Trotsky: Biography

Leon Trotsky's Career and Influence


Leon Trotsky was a political theorist and Russian revolutionary who was an advocate of Marxism. His ideology was sometimes called Trotskyism. This article examines Trotsky's career, his relationship with Lev Bronstein, and his influence on Lenin. Learn how Trotsky became one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century.

Lenin's Friendship with Trotsky


Trotsky's friendship with Lenin has always been controversial. Lenin was at pains to promote Trotsky's rising prestige and denied rumors of disharmony. However, Trotsky was often the target of accusations and was vilified by Lenin's followers.

Trotsky's Influence and Writings


Trotsky had been an influential socialist in the Russian revolution. His writings were widely circulated. The publication he founded, Nachalo ("The Beginning"), was very popular. Trotsky had clashed with Lenin on a number of political issues. He also developed the theory of a permanent revolution and formed a close working relationship with Alexander Parvus.

Disagreements and Arrest


The friendship between Trotsky and Lenin was short-lived. They disagreed on many issues, including the issue of expropriations. Expropriations, or robberies of banks and companies, had been banned by the 5th Congress, but the Bolsheviks continued to engage in them. Leon Trotsky had been arrested on August 7, 1917. Later that month, he was released. His release resulted from the failure of a counter-revolutionary uprising by Lavr Kornilov. On October 8, Trotsky became chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and led the efforts to overthrow the Provisional Government of Aleksandr Kerensky.

Lenin's Influence on Trotsky


Leon Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary. He was a member of the Communist Party and the first Commissar for Foreign Affairs after the October Revolution. He also organized the Red Army during the Civil War, personally leading the fight against counterrevolutionary White armies. In addition, he was the Commissar for War until 1925.

Disagreements and Collaboration


However, Trotsky was not always supportive of Lenin. He was at times critical of Lenin, pointing out that he had made mistakes. The two men were at odds about some issues, but the two men continued to work together. The two men were even in touch on international matters, despite their differences. Lenin and Trotsky did not agree on all issues, and they differed on the question of class collaboration. Trotsky advocated reunification, while Lenin rejected it. But the "conciliationism" of Trotsky was a major error. Trotsky used the popular Viennese Pravda to promote his position. On this issue, many other Bolshevik leaders agreed with Trotsky, including N.A. Rozhkov and V.P. Nogin, as well as members of the Sotsial Demokrat.

Trotsky's Leadership and Actions


Trotsky was a Soviet leader who secured an alliance with Lenin and the Soviet bureaucracy. This was a key move for the USSR, as Stalin had recently engineered the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This alliance helped the USSR to strengthen its international trade, but was hampered by Lenin's illness. Trotsky's actions, however, weakened the socialist construction. They also lowered the prestige of the Soviet state and prompted a great deal of aggression on the part of its enemies. Moreover, Trotsky's alleged revolutionary past did not qualify him for exoneration or mitigation of his guilt. In fact, it only aggravated his guilt. It also entangled him with a tyranny that was alien to the interests of the proletariat and the Soviet state.

After Defeat and Policy Disagreements


After the defeat of the revolutionary movement in late 1919, the Soviet government shifted its focus from military operations to economic development. It was during this time that a false rumor of Trotsky's assassination was spreading in Germany. Trotsky's proposed policies included abandoning the War Communism policies and partially restoring the grain market. However, Lenin refused to accept these proposals.

Trotsky's Relationship with Lev Bronstein


The relationship between Leon Trotsky and Lev Bronstein is a complex one. The two men were young at the time and were from completely different backgrounds. Bronstein had been a farmer in Ukraine who converted to Marxism and became active in revolutionary activity. The young man spent his eighteenth birthday in jail and was exiled to Siberia. However, in 1902 he managed to escape to London where he joined Lenin and other revolutionary leaders. Leon Trotsky then met another young lady in Paris who later became Mrs. Bronstein.

Trotsky's Cultural Background


Leon Trotsky was a man of great culture. In 1938, he co-authored a manifesto on revolutionary art, which is a very rare document. The manifesto is of 'libertarian Marxist' inspiration. Trotsky and Breton met in Mexico City in 1938 and were close friends. They also were friends with Lev Bronstein and Pierre Naville.

Trotsky's Early Life


Trotsky was born in the Ukrainian village of Yanovka in 1879. His father was a wealthy Jewish farmer. He was inspired by Marxism and helped create the South Russian Workers' Union. In 1899, Trotsky was jailed and spent four years in Siberia. While imprisoned, he married Alexandra Lvovna, a fellow revolutionary. They had two daughters together.

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