Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Trotsky's Personality
- Most heroic of the contenders
- Had led the October Revolution with Lenin
and had commanded Red Army during Civil War
- Commissar for War
- Gifted theorist and orator, inspiring loyalty in his troops.
- Only member of the Party who could rival
Lenin in intelligence and writings about
Marxism.
- Radical vision for the future of
Russia, appealing to young and
idealistic members of the Party.
- His contribution from 1917-1924 rivalled that of Lenin himself.
- Arrogant and dismissive of other leading figures.
- Never went out of his way to endear himself to peers who feared his
rigid views could cause a split in the Party.
- Many older Bolsheviks thought him an outsider - joined in 1917.
- Some were unconvinced of his loyalty - could be seen as too loyal,
agreeing with decisions to avoid damaging party.
- Did not like political infighting, making of
deals and alliances - preferred debates,
vulnerability.
- From late 1923 for three years, suffered with fever - weakened and unable to deal with political
attacks. Absent from crucial votes in the Politburo, though some meetings by his bedside. Fact
Jewish - affected some views.