Compare and contrast the roles of Lenin and Trotsky in Russia between 1917-1924

Question 1

Argument

Answer 1

Trotsky’s role was more significant than Lenin’s overall – not for political consolidation though

Question 2

October Revolution

Answer 2

Without Trotsky’s military, the significance of Lenin’s ideology would have been limited – ideology not enough on its own

• Trotsky: Lynch – contradicts traditional Soviet perspective that Lenin was the ‘vanguard of socialist change’

o Arrangement of Military Revolutionary Committee (Milrevcom) saw the overthrow of PG

Lynch: while Lenin constructed the revolutionary train of thought, ideology could not overthrow an incumbent regime

• It was rather the military led coup by Trotsky that ultimately overthrew (arrested) the PG

o Thus, both played big roles – but entirely different
 Lenin: propagator of revolutionary thought
 Trotsky: Leader of milrevcom

Question 3

Criticisms to October Revolutions

Answer 3

• Nonetheless, we may consider Volkogenov’s perspective – echoes CPSU slogans – argues Trotsky menial role and Lenin principal figure

o Supported as Lenin leadership of Bolshevik party radicalised the proletariat – April Thesis – ‘Peace, Bread, Land’

 Created consensus for desired change

o However, must consider subjectivity of this school of thought

 Historian influenced by political bias against Trotsky – an apparent traitor of Soviet regime

As such, when considering Western liberal perspective of Lynch, his argument is more convincing

• While Lenin played a vital role in his leadership of the Bolsheviks, it was ultimately Trotsky’s co-ordination of the Milrevcom which was more significant in establishment and consolidation of the new Soviet state

Question 4

Political consolidation of Bolsheviks: Lenin

Answer 4

Trotsky<Lenin

o Convincing: 45% SRs in CA and 24% Bolsheviks (324 seats vs 182)

 As such, Lenin dissolved CA on 19th Jan 1918

• Removed all political opposition to the Bolsheviks regime
• Therefore, role of Lenin significant

Question 5

Political consolidation of Bolsheviks: Trotsky

Answer 5

• Argument corroborated by Lenin’s reintroduction of secret police, Cheka, numbered 150,000, to remove political opponents

o Further underlines Lenin’s use of terror to consolidate Bolshevik power
- In contrast, Trotsky remained head of Milrevcom and sought to oppose Lenin – particularly in Brest-Litovsk treaty

o Refused to join Lenin at signing of treaty given its harsh terms

o Figes considers the signing of treaty as a major step towards appeasing peasantry and suggests that it even eliminated SRs from parliament as they were disgusted at treaty

Therefore, while Lenin consolidated political power, Trotsky disagreed with his methods and consequently adopted a lesser role within this stage of creation of the New Soviet State

Question 6

Civil War: Opening statement

Answer 6

• Anderson: Trotsky > Lenin

o Perspective argues CW was most significant factor in consolidation Bolshevik
power as it forcibly removed opposition and subdued peasant discontent

 Thus, as Trotsky involvement > Lenin, it must be argued that he adopted a greater role from 1917-24

Question 7

Civil War: Lenin

Answer 7

o During war, Lenin: War communism

 Significant as it geared the economy towards the needs of communist party for Civil war, most notably, grain requisitioning

• This supported Soviet victory in CW and the removal of opposition

 However, significance underpinned as policy placed 100 million peasants at risk of famine

• Led to uprisings at Orlon in 1919 and Tambov in 1921

o Suggests Lenin’s role during CW created opposition for Bolsheviks

Answer 8

o In contrast, Trotsky’s role ultimately allowed victory in CW without creating opposition

 Travelled almost 3,000km on railways and drove to the front lines in a bulletproof car to give speeches, raising the morale of soldiers – helped win war

Thus, there are distinct parallels between the role of Lenin and Trotsky during the war

o Moreover, similar to his role in the October 1917 revolutions, Trotsky oversaw the reorganisation of the Red Army

 Increased numbers to 300,000 and made them very efficient
* Had to fight a White army of 2.4 million, yet, won

 Used terror to enlist 33,000 ex-Tsarist officers by kidnapping their families

o As such, Trotsky played a significant role during the war as he introduced tactical and structural prowess whilst also improving morale, which propelled the Reds to victory

Question 9

Criticisms of CW

Answer 9

o However, this liberal view is refuted again by traditional Soviet historiography – conveys Lenin as rewarding peasants with NEP in 1921 which saw the end of the grain requisitioning – subdued peasant revolts, catalysing popular support for the Reds.

o Nonetheless, Pipes notes such popular support was merely driven by the extent of violence imposed on the peasants by the Whites as part of the White Terror during the war