Explain Trotsky's contribution towards the success of the Bolsheviks up to 1922
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Introduction
Explain Trotsky's contribution towards the success of the Bolsheviks up to 1922. The Bolsheviks' aims were to overthrow the Tsarist regime in Russia, and the Bolsheviks achieved this when the Tsar abdicated his throne in March 1917. The Duma then decided to from a Provisional Government, which would rule Russia until elections for a new Government could be held. The demise of the Provisional Government became the Bolshevik's next aim. The Provisional Government organised a constituent assembly which was dominated by the Socialist Revolutionaries as they were supported by the peasants. However, the Bolsheviks lacked support in the Constituent assembly but Lenin was determined to assert his plans to make Russia and communist country. Lenin used his secret police: The Cheka, to intimidate, imprison and murder political rivals. It is here that we see Trotsky's first contribution to the success of the Bolsheviks. When people began to protest against the forced closure of the Constituent assembly, Trotsky's Red Guard were ordered to shoot at the demonstrators and they wounded and killed more than a hundred protestors. ...read more.
Middle
The forming of the Red Army was undoubtedly Trotsky's greatest contribution towards the success of the Bolsheviks. Trotsky was given the task of recruiting an army loyal to the Bolsheviks. Trotsky's main limitation was finding someone to train the new recruits. Trotsky therefore decided to recruit Tsarist officers to train the "raw" recruits. Trotsky forced the former Tsarist officials to cooperate by threatening them if they refused to ally with the Bolsheviks: * Any officer that refused to join the Bolsheviks would be sent to prison. * Any officer that deserted the Bolshevik army would have their family sent to prison. Trotsky managed to recruit 22,000 Tsarist officers to train the 330,000 new recruits to the Red Army. To guarantee loyalty from the entire Army, Trotsky decided to enforce discipline through a terror system: * Any one who incited desertion or anyone that did not fulfil a military order would be shot. * Any/Every Red Army member who deserted his post would be shot. * Any/Every who sells their equipment will be shot. ...read more.
Conclusion
Many of the Kronstadt sailors died in this attack, and survivors were captured and shot. The mutiny was successfully crushed! This triumph helped to contribute towards the success of the Bolsheviks by setting an example for everyone around Russia who opposed the Bolsheviks. This mutiny also opened the eyes of the Bolsheviks, and made them realise the damage War Communism was having on Russia. After the mutiny, Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy: the N.E.P. Under this political system, peasants were allowed to grow their own crops and sell any extra to towns and small businesses were privatised. Therefore in conclusion, Trotsky's contribution to the success of the Bolsheviks was enormous. Trotsky's contributions have all been based around his military prowess and Trotsky's contribution undoubtedly enabled the Bolsheviks to take control over Russia. Each of Trotsky's contributions were vital to the existence and success of the Bolsheviks and Trotsky's was indelibly the most capable and deserving man to be Lenin's heir. However, ultimately his personality clashes with his fellow Bolsheviks paved the way for Stalin and not Trotsky's to gain the position as leader of Russia. ?? ?? ?? ?? ...read more.
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