Leon Trotsky

[edit] Guide Note:

Leon Trotsky was one of the principal leaders of the Russian Revolution, which overthrew Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, replacing the monarchy with a communist government.

[edit] Fast Facts:

1. Full name: Lev Davidovich Trotsky
2. Birth name: Lev Davidovich Bronstein
3. Born: November 7, 1879
4. Birthplace: Kherson, Ukraine
5. Attended: Odessa University
6. Political party: Communist Party of the Soviet Union
7. Profession: Politician, writer, editor
8. Spouses: Aleksandra Sokolovskaya, Natalia Sedova
9. Died: August 21, 1940
10. Murdered in: Coyoacán, Mexico

1. People's Commissar for Army and Navy Affairs (March 13, 1918 – January 6, 1925),
2. People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs (November 8, 1917 – March 13, 1918),
3. President of the Petrograd Soviet(October 8, 1917 – November 8, 1917)

Leon Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein to Jewish parents in the southwestern part of what was then the Russian empire, but is now the Ukraine. His first exposure to political activism came in 1896, while staying with a family in Nikolayev to finish his secondary education. He was exposed to Marxism and took an active role in the movement, organizing the Southern Russian Workers Union in 1897. He was arrested and exiled to Siberia as a result of his involvement.

Trotsky met Lenin in 1902, when he escaped from Siberia, and fled to London. He joined him in writing for Iskra, but opposed him politically. In 1903, Trotsky sided with the Mensheviks when they split with the Bolsheviks.

He returned to Russia to take a leadership role in the 1905 revolution, resulting in his arrest, and second exile to Siberia. While in exile he wrote two books, Results and Prospects, in which he discussed his thoughts about revolution in Russia. He escaped from Siberia in 1907, fleeing Russia for Europe and later, the United States. He was in New York City at the time of the revolution in March 1917. He immediately returned to Russia, joining Lenin and the Bolsheviks in July.

Trotsky worked with Lenin to overthrow the provisional government, and emerged as a key leader after the October Revolution. His organization of the Red Army is credited with winning the civil war that solidified the revolutionary government. He negotiated the peace treaty with Germany at Brest Litovsk, ending Russia's involvement with World War I.