Leon Trotsky Personality

Leon Trotsky is arguably one of the most significant historical figures of the 20th century in Russia, and in turn the greater world. An intellectual, professional revolutionary and a leader of the Bolshevik Party, Trotsky was a huge contributor to the formation of the Red Army and the subsequent Bolshevik consolidation of power following the end of the Civil War. An incredible revolutionary and military mastermind, he was pivotal in the establishing of the Soviet Union, a regime which stood for almost 70 years. However despite his immense significance, Trotsky, like all significant figures, had a number of flaws. From his idealistic and unrealistic handling of the situation with Germany following WW1 and the following treaty of Brest-Litovsk

However, it was Trotsky’s flaws of his highly brutal and disciplined nature that is greatly contributed to the Red’s victory. Trotsky was willing to implement a number of violent and ruthless actions that extended far beyond just the leaders and soldiers on the battlefield, but to those closest to them as well, in order to maintain the discipline of the Red Army. Whilst some historians such as Deutscher defend Trotsky’s atrocities during the conflict arguing that “he had the entire revolution at stake” there is no denying that his brutality was a quintessential flaw that lead to great political opposition. As Trotsky said himself that “military work created so many enemies” it is no secret that Trotsky’s actions were unpopular to many of those within the Bolshevik party and abroad and historian Pipe’s criticizes Trotsky claiming that his methods “exceeded in savagery anything known to the Tsarist armies.” This is clearly seen as even the initially most dedicated Bolsheviks in the Kronstadt Sailors mutinied and attempted to revolt against the cruelty being exerted by Trotsky. Despite the significance of Trotsky acting as a violent and brutal military leader in the Red’s victory of

While Trotsky was a brilliant orator and military mastermind, willing to do whatever it took to win the war, his greatest flaw was that he greatly lacked the political traits necessary to gain support of his party and obtain the leadership during the power struggle with Stalin. Trotsky was unable to formulate realistic policies following the death of Lenin and increasingly lost the support of his party and the general populace, on the other hand Stalin was a master political manipulator who was able to mould any situation in a way which put him in an advantageous position. This is delineated upon in Trotsky’s continued obsession of Marxist theory and the idea of permanent revolution, an idea which showed little prospect of success. He was unable to recognise the want for his surrounding members to focus on their own country following 8 years of political turmoil, while Stalin was able to, promoting his idea of “socialism in one country.” Combined with this Trotsky continued to carry himself in an increasingly egotistical way, with his patronising and demeaning manner doing nothing to gain the support of his fellow members in the Politburo, lacked an understanding of party organisation, displayed naivety in internal party affairs and misunderstood the mood of the country. As David