Comparison between Trotsky's and Lenin's role in the establishment of the USSR

Authors Avatar

With reference to the view of at least 2 historians, compare and contrast the contributions of Lenin and Trotsky to the establishment and consolidation of a communist state in Russia between 1917 and 1924

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov contemplated Lenin and Lev Davidovich Bronstein contemplated Leon Trotsky were two “professional” revolutionaries and the main figures of the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. While Lenin was the public face of the revolution, Trotsky was the person to set up the overthrow of the provisional government. But their role is not limited to the 1917 revolution. Both of them also contributed greatly after the successful overthrow and the problems that were to face the new government. Lenin, in his position as leader of the Communist Party introduced a couple of major policies, greatly helping the new government to stay in power. Leon Trotsky had a more executive role in the Bolshevik Party. His main role was being People’s Commissar for Army and Navy Affairs. In this position he contributed greatly to the survival of the Bolshevik rule, facing the danger of civil war.   In the following their roles in establishing a communist state will be compared and contrasted in three distinct time periods: The 1917 revolution and its aftermath, the Russian civil war and the post civil war period.

It is generally accepted under historians, that Leon Trotsky was the main character in organising and executing the successful Bolshevik revolution or coup d’etat. Even Joseph Stalin acknowledges his major rival’s role in these events in Pravda, November 10, 1918, by saying: “All practical work in connection with the organization of the uprising was done under the immediate direction of Comrade Trotsky, the President of the Petrograd Soviet. It can be stated with certainty that the Party is indebted primarily and principally to Comrade Trotsky for the rapid going over of the garrison to the side of the Soviet and the efficient manner in which the work of the  was organized.”  

But what exactly was Trotsky’s role in the October Revolution?

On the 23 of September 1917, shortly after being released from prison during the Kerensky-Kornilov affair, Trotsky was elected chairman of the Petrograd Soviet. On order of the Provisional Government, Trotsky set up the Military Revolutionary Committee, which should execute the seizure for power. Under Trotsky’s supervision this Revolutionary Committee took control over the Petrograd Garrison. This led to the Garrison changing sites and fighting for the Soviets, which was vital for the successful overthrow of the Provisional Government.

Join now!

Although Trotsky’s role was vital in the October Revolution the historian Terry Brotherstone argues that: “The Bolshevik victory in the October Revolution would have been just as unthinkable and unrealisable without Trotsky as it would have been unthinkable and unrealisable without Lenin”

However the contribution of Lenin in the October Revolution was rather in gaining support for the Bolsheviks through his speeches. Lenin couldn’t set up the immediate measures necessary for a Bolshevik revolution such as a suitable militia, because he was exiled and could only enter Russia shortly before the Revolution.  

So in general it is fair to ...

This is a preview of the whole essay