Explain Trotsky's contribution to the success of the Bolsheviks up to 1922

The first 200 words of this essay...

Explain Trotsky's contribution to the success of the Bolsheviks up to 1922

Trotsky's contribution was crucial to the success of the Bolsheviks. Up to 1922 he played an enormous role in the success of the Bolsheviks, and gave them both drive and organisation with the help of Vladimir Lenin. His leadership was excellent and communication skills second to none.

Firstly, Trotsky was one of the foremost figures in the 1917 October Revolution. He controlled the Red Army and planned the takeover of Petrograd on November 7th. He organised the Red Guards, the Bolsheviks Militia made up of factory workers armed with rifles, to strategically take over the capital by commandeering railway stations, post offices, telephone centres, banks, bridges and power stations. There was little resistance to the Red Guards and the capital was soon taken over by them. After all of these were seized, on the night of November 7th, the Winter Palace was stormed by the Red Guards. The invasion was timed with the meeting of the Provisional Government. The storming of the Winter Palace helped the Bolsheviks as it drove the Provisional Government out, leaving themselves in charge. His organisation skills largely helped with