HSC MODERN HISTORY RESEARCH ASSESSMENT TASK Essay Example

towards their government. Consequently, Trotsky remained as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
With the outbreak of the Civil War came the establishment of the Red Army based on Trotsky's concept; announced by the Bolsheviks themselves. On April 8th [ have not been modified], Lenin appointed Trotsky as Minister for War. Shortly after that decision was made by Lenin himself [ have not been modified], conscription was introduced by Trotsky leading to a substantial increase in size of the Red Army. By 1920 [ have not been modified], it had reached a total of 3 million soldiers thanks to strict disciplinary measures implemented by Trotsky enabling them to launch effective counter-attacks and repel enemy forces successfully.His power was further solidified when he became Commissar for War, a role that greatly contributed to the military success of the Bolshevik Revolution. In the mid-1920s, there were extensive discussions about the economic issues in the country. Trotsky suggested reducing War Communism in order to allow for more efficient operation of market forces. Initially rejected, this proposal later became known as the New Economic Policy (NEP), which involved partially reverting back to indirect mobilization methods and moving towards "state capitalism". By 1925, Trotsky called for abandoning NEP due to its slow progress and instead proposed rapidly expanding socialism in rural areas through high taxation of peasants, rapid industrial growth, and an assertive foreign policy.

However, Trotsky's influence began to decline after Lenin suffered a stroke and passed away in 1922. Despite being seen as Lenin's clear successor, opposition from an informal group called the Troika consisting of Zinovyev, Kamenev, and Stalin emerged against him. When Trotsky challenged Stalin's leadership by calling for a

vote of no confidence, he was accused of "factionalism and opportunism". Unfortunately, illness prevented Trotsky from asserting his influence at the Thirteenth Party Congress in 1924, allowing Stalin to dominate. As a result, he was removed from his position as Minister for War in 1925 and expelled from the party in 1927.Despite being exiled multiple times, Trotsky continued to play a crucial role in the Bolshevik Party and had a significant impact on their goals. During his exile in Alma Ata, he established the Fourth International as a counter to the Stalinist Third International. Unfortunately, Trotsky was assassinated by a Stalinist infiltrator at his residence in 1940. His contributions were vital in transforming Russia into a communist society while upholding their belief in granting "all power to the soviets." As part of the Central Committee, Trotsky became one of Lenin's leading opponents against the Russian Provisional Government. Alongside Lunacharsky, he steadfastly supported the Bolsheviks during congress meetings. Unlike his previous affiliation with the Mensheviks, Trotsky aligned himself with the Bolsheviks' aim to gain control over liberals and establish a proletarian-led communist society. Despite being arrested for his outspoken beliefs, Trotsky was released and swiftly appointed Chairman of Petrograd Soviet's Executive Committee.
Under constant surveillance, Lenin went into hiding and entrusted leadership to Trotsky within the Bolsheviks' ranks. Embracing his responsibility, Trotsky prepared for the revolution against the Provisional Government by rallying supporters in St. Petersburg during what later became known as the October Revolution. With persuasive speaking skills, Trotsky delivered speeches to persuade citizens to join the Bolshevik cause and overthrow the government. Although not an official member at that time, "Leon Davidovich Trotsky actively worked

within our party from his arrival from America onwards." After delivering his first speech in front of the Soviet, Trotsky gained immediate recognition as one of our party leaders (Proletarskaya Revolutsia, 1923, p.71). Following the rise of the Bolsheviks, Trotsky became Minister for Foreign Affairs and played a crucial role in negotiating peace treaties between Russia and central powers. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk presented challenges for Trotsky as he reluctantly accepted harsh terms that brought humiliation upon both himself and the Bolsheviks. Nevertheless, Lenin respected Trotsky's decision but he resigned from his position and took on the role of Minister of War instead. He then established and commanded the Red Army using remaining soldiers from the Imperial Army.The White Army, composed of anti-Bolshevik groups such as social revolutionaries, Mensheviks, Tsar supporters, landlords, and capitalists, faced off against the Reds in the Russian Civil War. Despite lacking military training, Trotsky is credited with leading the Reds to victory. He ensured that his army was well-fed and better off than other parts of Russia in order to attract more members. Those who supported him were obliged to join and fight alongside them.

After Lenin's death, Stalin took over leadership in both party and government roles without facing any resistance from Trotsky. At the Twelfth Party Congress in 1923, Trotsky lost hope of regaining control of the party and remained silent. Initially not involved with the Bolshevik party, Trotsky independently pursued his concept of permanent revolution which contrasted with Stalin's political ideology.

Stalin, Kamenev, and Zinoviev worked together to diminish Trotsky's influence within the party. In 1925 they openly criticized him and removed him from his position as Commissar of

War. On November 12th, 1927 Stalin expelled Trotsky from the Soviet Communist Party consolidating complete control over the Soviet Union for himself along with Kamenev and Zinoviev.According to V. Lenin's perspective on the dictatorship of the proletariat, achieving it through a unified organization encompassing the entire class is not possible due to fragmentation, oppression, and corruption experienced by the working class in capitalist countries. Therefore, the presence of a vanguard is crucial for implementing proletarian dictatorship. In 1928, Trotsky's exile to Alma Ata marked the end of his leadership role in the Bolshevik Party. If it hadn't been for his profound intellectual guidance, the party may have remained small and inconsequential without influence over individuals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Carr.E. (1989) The Russian Revolution: From Lenin to Stalin 1917-1929.London: The Mavmillian Press Ltd.
- Democracy is undemocratic: II.(N/A).Anarcho team.Available Online: http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/anarchism/writers/anarcho/democracy.html 20/02/04
- Dupee.F. (1959) The Russian Revolution: The Overthrow of Tzarism;the Triumph of the Soviets.USA: Doubleday & Company Inc.
- Historic Figures: Leon Trotsky.(2004).BBC. Available Online:http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/trotsky_leon.shtml18/02/04
- History of World War I: Russia The October Revolution.(2002).KMLA.Available Online: http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/russia/octrev.html 24/02/04 - In Memory of Leon Trotsky.(2000).Woods.A.

Leon Trotsky is remembered in an article titled "In Memory of Leon Trotsky" which can be found online at http://www.trotsky.net/trotsky_year/in_memory_of_trotsky.html . This article was published by A. Woods and accessed on 24th February 2004.

Available Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%20Leon_Trotsky 18 / 02 / 04 - McAndrew.M.;Thomas.D. (2000) Russia Soviet Union 1917-1945: From Tsar to Stalin.Australia: Cambridge University Press.

An article titled "Leon Trotsky" is available online at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%20Leon_Trotsky. This article was published on Wikipedia and accessed on 18th February 2004. It provides information about Leon Trotsky and his role in the Russian Revolution from

the book "Russia Soviet Union 1917-1945: From Tsar to Stalin" written by McAndrew M. and Thomas D., published by Cambridge University Press in Australia in the year 2000.

The Russian Revolution: The Civil War of 1918-20 is a publication from The Columbia Encyclopedia (2001) and can be found online at http://www.bartleby.com/65/ru/RussianR.html Accessed on February 25, 2004.

The Columbia Encyclopedia's publication "The Russian Revolution: The Civil War of 1918-20" is available online at http://www.bartleby.com/65/ru/RussianR.html. It was accessed on February 25, 2004.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is also mentioned in The Columbia Encyclopedia, published in 2001, and can be accessed online at http://www.bartleby.com/65/br/BrestLit.html, accessed on February 25, 2004.

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is discussed in The Columbia Encyclopedia (2001) and can be found online at http://www.bartleby.com/65 / br / BrestLit.html . This source was accessed on February 25th, 2004.