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The Prophet: The Life of Leon Trotsky

Dale Mitchell

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Leon Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and theorist. He was a leading figure in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the founder of the Red Army. Trotsky was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1929 and assassinated in Mexico in 1940.

The Prophet: The Life of Leon Trotsky

by Isaac Deutscher

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Early life and career

Leon Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein in Yanovka, Ukraine, in 1879. His father was a wealthy farmer and his mother was a devout Jewish woman. Trotsky was a brilliant student and excelled in school. He became involved in revolutionary politics at a young age and was arrested for the first time in 1898.

In 1902, Trotsky was exiled to Siberia. He escaped from exile in 1905 and made his way to Europe. He became a close associate of Vladimir Lenin and played a leading role in the Bolshevik Party. Trotsky returned to Russia in 1917 and played a key role in the October Revolution.

The Russian Revolution

The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a watershed event in world history. The revolution led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of the Soviet Union. Trotsky played a leading role in the revolution and was appointed People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs in the new Soviet government.

Trotsky was a brilliant orator and a gifted military leader. He played a key role in the Red Army's victory in the Russian Civil War. However, Trotsky also clashed with Lenin over the future of the Soviet Union. Trotsky advocated for a more internationalist and revolutionary approach, while Lenin favored a more cautious and pragmatic approach.

Exile and assassination

In 1929, Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party and exiled from the Soviet Union. He spent the rest of his life in exile, living in Turkey, France, Norway, and Mexico. Trotsky continued to write and speak out against Stalin and the Soviet government. He also founded the Fourth International, a rival international communist organization.

In 1940, Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico City by Ramon Mercader, a Spanish communist agent. Mercader was working for Stalin, who feared Trotsky's growing influence. Trotsky's assassination was a major blow to the international communist movement.

Legacy

Leon Trotsky was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant revolutionary and a gifted orator. He also clashed with Lenin and Stalin, and was eventually exiled from the Soviet Union. Trotsky's legacy is still debated today. Some view him as a visionary revolutionary, while others see him as a ruthless and ambitious man.