Stalin and Trotsky
Miss Blom
CHY 4UW
Tuesday April 10th, 2007
Magdalena Nowakowska
. a) In Source B, what is meant by the following statement: "Unlike Trotsky, Stalin believed that socialism could be introduced in one country without being accompanied by a world revolution" (3)
In Source B, by the statement "Unlike Trotsky, Stalin believed that socialism could be introduced in one country without being accompanied by a world revolution," it is meant that Russia would have to serve as a proper example of socialism until the world revolution occurred. This doctrine permitted the Soviet Union to carry out a policy of "peaceful coexistence" with capitalist states if necessary, during international affairs. This also signified that the Soviet Union would be supporting socialist revolutions whenever possible. Stalin's opinion on "socialism in one country" was that it gave inner strength to the communists who had doubts about Stalin's outlook of a world revolution. Trotsky was continuing to argue a western Marxist account of the future revolution while Stalin had convinced the citizens of Russia that the revolution in socialism, which he had helped establish, was a Russian idea. Therefore Stalin was strongly supporting his nationalist views through his actions and propositions.
b) What message is portrayed by Source E? (3)
Source E, being a political cartoon is portraying Leon Trotsky blowing soap bubbles representative of his dreams. I speculate that these dreams are being shown as temporary, not static, since bubbles are temporary, not lasting lengthy amounts of time. The words in the bubbles are depicting Trotsky's goals for Russia and its people. For instance, the use of the word 'Utopia' is a play on words, a pun. I speculate that the word utopia in the bubble is illusive to the idea of a society, which will never surface within Russia. Also, the term 'Altruism' is contrary to the context presented in the cartoon, which is temporary and transitional. It also refers to the ideologies of Stalin and Trotsky for their government; the revolutionary ideology developed before 1917 with the help of western socialism (especially that of Marxism). Neither Stalin nor Trotsky adhered to the principle of peace because their primary focus was contrary to the image presented in the cartoon. For example, they relied on a revolution to strike in their country to solve their socialist problems. This revolution was intended to eliminate the problems of the middle class workers who were seen as a problem within the ideology of Stalin and Trotsky. Also, the philosophy of Trotsky is supportive of the phrase 'the end justifies the means' because he was willing to reach his primary goals at all costs even through the destruction of his citizen's lives. The words 'soft soap' in the cartoon are ironic; presenting the situation in Russia in a comical context. Its primary purpose is to suggest that Russia will succeed; it is not that Russia is 'soft', but rather is a rigid and goal oriented society. The fact that the words within the bubbles are being blown away suggests that the dreams of individuals within the society are also floating away. The book in the cartoon represents Trotsky as an intellectual character, however the socialist structure itself, is making it more challenging for workers and the people to express their opinions on problems and as a result, the people are getting in the way of his goals. For intellectuals, ideas are primarily developed in their heads and are rarely or never put into action as reality. Also, the book is closed symbolizing closure of an individuals' independence. The fact that the title "Dreams" is written reversed and backwards on the book represents a shift in government and a shift in an individual's role within the society. The short pants Trotsky is wearing are a symbol of being childlike; if one wore short pants it meant you were still a little kid back in that time. This can also be associated with inexperience, innocence and a lack of understanding.
Miss Blom
CHY 4UW
Tuesday April 10th, 2007
Magdalena Nowakowska
. a) In Source B, what is meant by the following statement: "Unlike Trotsky, Stalin believed that socialism could be introduced in one country without being accompanied by a world revolution" (3)
In Source B, by the statement "Unlike Trotsky, Stalin believed that socialism could be introduced in one country without being accompanied by a world revolution," it is meant that Russia would have to serve as a proper example of socialism until the world revolution occurred. This doctrine permitted the Soviet Union to carry out a policy of "peaceful coexistence" with capitalist states if necessary, during international affairs. This also signified that the Soviet Union would be supporting socialist revolutions whenever possible. Stalin's opinion on "socialism in one country" was that it gave inner strength to the communists who had doubts about Stalin's outlook of a world revolution. Trotsky was continuing to argue a western Marxist account of the future revolution while Stalin had convinced the citizens of Russia that the revolution in socialism, which he had helped establish, was a Russian idea. Therefore Stalin was strongly supporting his nationalist views through his actions and propositions.
b) What message is portrayed by Source E? (3)
Source E, being a political cartoon is portraying Leon Trotsky blowing soap bubbles representative of his dreams. I speculate that these dreams are being shown as temporary, not static, since bubbles are temporary, not lasting lengthy amounts of time. The words in the bubbles are depicting Trotsky's goals for Russia and its people. For instance, the use of the word 'Utopia' is a play on words, a pun. I speculate that the word utopia in the bubble is illusive to the idea of a society, which will never surface within Russia. Also, the term 'Altruism' is contrary to the context presented in the cartoon, which is temporary and transitional. It also refers to the ideologies of Stalin and Trotsky for their government; the revolutionary ideology developed before 1917 with the help of western socialism (especially that of Marxism). Neither Stalin nor Trotsky adhered to the principle of peace because their primary focus was contrary to the image presented in the cartoon. For example, they relied on a revolution to strike in their country to solve their socialist problems. This revolution was intended to eliminate the problems of the middle class workers who were seen as a problem within the ideology of Stalin and Trotsky. Also, the philosophy of Trotsky is supportive of the phrase 'the end justifies the means' because he was willing to reach his primary goals at all costs even through the destruction of his citizen's lives. The words 'soft soap' in the cartoon are ironic; presenting the situation in Russia in a comical context. Its primary purpose is to suggest that Russia will succeed; it is not that Russia is 'soft', but rather is a rigid and goal oriented society. The fact that the words within the bubbles are being blown away suggests that the dreams of individuals within the society are also floating away. The book in the cartoon represents Trotsky as an intellectual character, however the socialist structure itself, is making it more challenging for workers and the people to express their opinions on problems and as a result, the people are getting in the way of his goals. For intellectuals, ideas are primarily developed in their heads and are rarely or never put into action as reality. Also, the book is closed symbolizing closure of an individuals' independence. The fact that the title "Dreams" is written reversed and backwards on the book represents a shift in government and a shift in an individual's role within the society. The short pants Trotsky is wearing are a symbol of being childlike; if one wore short pants it meant you were still a little kid back in that time. This can also be associated with inexperience, innocence and a lack of understanding.
