Old man Trotsky - help with assignment?

[Liberty Lover]

Ok, I have to write an essay in response to the following:

Evaluate the contribution of Leon Trotsky to key events and developments in Russia and the Soviet Union 1917-1945, and the differing perspectives and interpretations of his achievements and significance

I can’t think of any one in a better position than you people to help little old me complete this. So if anyone has some links or comments relevant to the task I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.


(Edited by Liberty Lover at 2:16 am on July 20, 2003)

[Loknar]

He was commander of the Army during the civil war. He passed up position of General Secretary (I think this was the position) under Lenin to Stalin, and after Lenin's death he grossly underestimated Stalin. A movement in the Politburo to eliminate Stalin was defeated because of Trotsky's confidence. In the end Trotsky was doomed to exile, writing anti Stalinist literature. The reason I think he underestimated Stalin is because Stalin must have been perceived to be a moron.

Sorry for the negative, but History must be aware of that aspect.

Anyway, he did negotiate the Brest-Livstock treaty which ended WW1 for Russia. Much of his contributions lie in his organization and planning of the military during the revolution. He certainly gained the respect of many military advisors and without him it would not be ridiculous to say the war would not have ended as soon as it did . Russia was invaded by over 20 different countries at this time to assist the White Russian army and he managed to lead the army with skill and drove all of the counter-revolutionaries back (except those Czechs who escaped:) ).

Um I am a bit tired, I may pick at my brain some more tomorrow.

(Edited by Loknar at 9:56 am on July 19, 2003)

[RedComrade]

He was the first to campaign for the N.E.P, which was later adopted in a "less capitalist" version by Lenin. Despite having been the negotiater at Bret-Litovsk he was against peace with the Germans up untill the last minute. He was to become known for his fracturing of the Bolsheviks over the trade-union dispute, Trostky and other far-lefties felt trade unions should be run and operated by the state as organs of state power since the U.S.S.R was theoretically supposed to be a workers state anyway. He was also famous for his proposal to keep the army mobilized after the war to work in labor batallions, similar to the Ancient Roman armies.

[Nobody]

Try the Marxist Internet Archive for his writing and (I think) bio info.

[Felicia]

Quote: from Liberty Lover on 4:04 am on July 19, 2003
Ok, I have to write an essay in response to the following:

Evaluate the contribution of Leon Trotsky to key events and developments in Russia and the Soviet Union 1997-1945, and the differing perspectives and interpretations of his achievements and significance

I can’t think of any one in a better position than you people to help little old me complete this. So if anyone has some links or comments relevant to the task I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.

I think that you might mean 1897, not 1997 ;)

**just click on the links at this site, they might help... probably not though (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/index.htm)

**Leon Trotsky (http://www.fbuch.com/leon.htm)

**this one might help you a bit... it's a good bet, lots of info!!! (http://econc10.bu.edu/economic_systems/natidentity/fsu/russia/leon_trotsky.htm)

[Liberty Lover]

Actually...I meant 1917 :angry:

Thanks for the links :)

[Felicia]

Quote: from Liberty Lover on 10:20 pm on July 19, 2003
Actually...I meant 1917 :angry:

Thanks for the links :)
haha, yeah, the revolution happened in 1917, I should've seen that one coming :biggrin:

[CubanFox]

Ask Comrade RAF or Cassius and they'll give you a pretty strong anti Trots argument.