Trotsky also has many personal qualities, which would have been vital for success. He was very clever. Also he was a good public speaker and a source of public inspiration. This would have contributed to the success because he was good at rallying people and makes them feel equal to him. He had the power to master a crowd. He spent a lot of time travelling and speaking to the ordinary people and getting them on his side. This helped him because he had many followers and lots of support. Also he had talents as an orator and a writer. These qualities were able to help his success in a number of key events in the Bolshevik road to success.
Firstly in the November Revolution, the Red guards who were led by Trotsky took key positions. They took control of post offices, the bridge and the state bank quickly and efficiently over night. He did this so efficiently because he was very disciplined and organised. Also, his ability to inspire people would have helped with this because this meant the guards listened to him and did what he told them to do.
When Germany defeated Russia, Trotsky was in charge of the peace treaty. He signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which meant that Russia lost;
- 25% of its population
- 27% of its farming land
- 26% of its railways
- 75% of its iron ore.
Although this was harsh and would have effected Russia drastically, this helped the Bolsheviks. They wanted to get on with ruling Russia and make their name be known and this could not be done without peace.
The Bolsheviks won the civil war in Russia. Trotsky helped the army to be ruthless and determined. He created a new Red army of over 300,000 men, who were led by former tsarist officers. Trotsky made sure of their loyalty by holding their families’ hostage and appointing people to watch over them. This show his ruthlessness and how determine he was. Also war communism was introduced. Trotsky went around Russia giving speeches and rallying the people and got them on his side.
Through harsh discipline and brilliant leadership, Trotsky’s Red army began to turn back White forces. It was very important for the Bolsheviks to win the civil war so they could set up a communist state quickly.
In March 1921, the sailors at Kronstadt mutinied. They demanded an end to the communist dictatorship when they had once been supporters of it. Trotsky thought that if they were prepared to mutiny, anyone could. On 16-17 March, Trotsky order 50,000 Red Army troops to storm the Kronstadt fortress, in which the sailors were defeated. Trotsky dealt with the mutinied quickly. He showed his ruthlessness and that he would crush anyone whom went against him.
Trotsky contributed many things to the success over the Bolsheviks. He personal qualities gave helped him to organise the army and take control quickly and efficiently.
