Leon Trotsky remains one of the most influential and controversial figures of the 20th century, remembered as a driving force behind the Russian Revolution, an architect of the Red Army, and a relentless critic of Joseph Stalin. His life embodied both the promise and peril of revolutionary politics.
From revolutionary beginnings to Bolshevik leadership
Born Lev Davidovich Bronstein in 1879 in present-day Ukraine, Trotsky entered revolutionary politics as a teenager. He was repeatedly arrested and exiled for his activism against Tsarist rule, but his sharp intellect and oratory quickly set him apart. By the time of the 1917 October Revolution, he had become one of Vladimir Lenin’s closest allies, playing a decisive role in organising the Bolsheviks’ seizure of power.
Trotsky went on to lead the Red Army during the Russian Civil War, building a disciplined force that ensured the Bolsheviks’ survival against multiple enemies. His ability to combine strategy with propaganda cemented his reputation as a formidable revolutionary leader.
Conflict with Stalin and fall from power
After Lenin’s death in 1924, a power struggle erupted within the Soviet leadership. Trotsky advocated for “permanent revolution”, a vision that placed international socialist struggle above national consolidation. Stalin, by contrast, promoted “socialism in one country”, prioritising the Soviet Union’s stability over global revolution.
Stalin’s political manoeuvring, combined with Trotsky’s isolation and perceived arrogance, led to Trotsky’s expulsion from the Communist Party and eventual exile in 1929. He lived in Turkey, France, Norway, and ultimately Mexico, where he continued to publish critiques of Stalinism and build the Fourth International, a movement seeking to advance his vision of global socialism.
Life in exile and assassination
Trotsky’s writings during exile warned of Stalin’s authoritarianism and the dangers of bureaucratic dictatorship. His critiques gained international readership, especially among leftist intellectuals disillusioned with Stalin’s purges and show trials.
However, his persistent opposition made him a prime target for the Soviet regime. On 20 August 1940, Trotsky was fatally attacked in his home in Mexico City by Ramón Mercader, a Spanish communist and NKVD agent. Trotsky died the following day, leaving behind a legacy marked by both revolutionary brilliance and tragic defeat.
Legacy and historical significance
Trotsky’s life continues to inspire debate among historians, activists, and political thinkers. Admirers see him as a visionary committed to internationalism and democracy within socialism, while critics argue he underestimated the practical challenges of his theories and contributed to the harshness of early Bolshevik rule.
What remains undeniable is Trotsky’s lasting influence on political thought. His analyses of fascism, bureaucracy, and class struggle remain widely studied, and his life story stands as a testament to the turbulence of a century defined by revolution, dictatorship, and ideological conflict.
REFH – Newshub, 20 August 2025
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