The life and political career of Leon Trotsky has been a point of great contention amongst historians since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. While Trotsky’s impact is evident, historians have widely varying views on Trotsky and his legacy. Consequently, there is no one fixed image of Trotsky but rather a series of historical arguments that present him in both a positive and negative light. However if one were to attempt to make a holistic description of Trotsky, he could be described as an individual whose flaws rendered his strengths inconsequential.
Trotsky was a dynamic revolutionary figure who was crucial in the Bolsheviks quest for power and the implementation of Marxist ideology in Russia. Historians write that Trotsky’s greatest attests to the Bolshevik party were his intellect and skills as a military leader.
Trotsky was a military tactician whose organisational skills and willingness to use force allowed for the Bolsheviks to consolidate their power. This is evident through the efforts and initiatives exhibited by Trotsky in the Russian Civil War of 1917. Trotsky’s pragmatic approach towards the Red Army allowed for the …show more content…
He failed to realise that if he did not seize power his position in the party would be compromised by his rivals; namely, Joseph Stalin. For example, Trotsky backed the Central Committee’s decision to have the last testament of former party leader Vladimir Lenin be sealed and not read to the politburo. The testament was highly critical of Stalin, noting how Stalin had consolidated power within the party and recommended his removal. The testament also stated that Trotsky was the most capable individual within the party to succeed Lenin, The testament had such evident political value that historians such as M Lewin speculate as to whether Trotsky was ill or seriously fatigued at the time he ordered it to be
Trotsky was a dynamic revolutionary figure who was crucial in the Bolsheviks quest for power and the implementation of Marxist ideology in Russia. Historians write that Trotsky’s greatest attests to the Bolshevik party were his intellect and skills as a military leader.
Trotsky was a military tactician whose organisational skills and willingness to use force allowed for the Bolsheviks to consolidate their power. This is evident through the efforts and initiatives exhibited by Trotsky in the Russian Civil War of 1917. Trotsky’s pragmatic approach towards the Red Army allowed for the …show more content…
He failed to realise that if he did not seize power his position in the party would be compromised by his rivals; namely, Joseph Stalin. For example, Trotsky backed the Central Committee’s decision to have the last testament of former party leader Vladimir Lenin be sealed and not read to the politburo. The testament was highly critical of Stalin, noting how Stalin had consolidated power within the party and recommended his removal. The testament also stated that Trotsky was the most capable individual within the party to succeed Lenin, The testament had such evident political value that historians such as M Lewin speculate as to whether Trotsky was ill or seriously fatigued at the time he ordered it to be