Lenin and TrotskyLenin and Trotsky

LeninLenin Born April 1870, well educated, studied law, his elder brother was executed Born April 1870, well educated, studied law, his elder brother was executed

for being part of a revolutionary group attempting to assassinate the Tsarfor being part of a revolutionary group attempting to assassinate the Tsar 1890 – Lenin moved to St Petersburg and became a professional 1890 – Lenin moved to St Petersburg and became a professional

revolutionaryrevolutionary 1895 – Arrested and exiled to Siberia for 3 years. Spent the next decade 1895 – Arrested and exiled to Siberia for 3 years. Spent the next decade

and a half in Europe where he emerged as a prominent figure in the and a half in Europe where he emerged as a prominent figure in the international revolutionary movementinternational revolutionary movement

Dec 1900 – First issue of the revolutionary newspaper ‘Iskra’ or ‘Spark’Dec 1900 – First issue of the revolutionary newspaper ‘Iskra’ or ‘Spark’ 1903 – Led the Bolshevik faction after the split with the Mensheviks1903 – Led the Bolshevik faction after the split with the Mensheviks 1905 – returns to Russia to support the revolution. With the revolution 1905 – returns to Russia to support the revolution. With the revolution

crushed he returned back to European exile. Until the revolution of 1917 he crushed he returned back to European exile. Until the revolution of 1917 he spent the majority of the time exiled in Europe where he continued his spent the majority of the time exiled in Europe where he continued his political writings and attending socialist meetings.political writings and attending socialist meetings.

LeninLenin 1903 – “What is to be Done?” is published. This was a political pamphlet. It 1903 – “What is to be Done?” is published. This was a political pamphlet. It

called for the formation of a revolutionary party that would direct the efforts called for the formation of a revolutionary party that would direct the efforts of the working class. Lenin thought that left to their own devices workers of the working class. Lenin thought that left to their own devices workers would be content with trade unionism and only a dedicated revolutionary would be content with trade unionism and only a dedicated revolutionary party could direct a revolution. This piece led to the split of the Social party could direct a revolution. This piece led to the split of the Social Democrats into Bolshevik and Mensheviks.Democrats into Bolshevik and Mensheviks.

1905 – returns to Russia to support the revolution. With the revolution 1905 – returns to Russia to support the revolution. With the revolution crushed he returned back to European exile. Until the revolution of 1917 he crushed he returned back to European exile. Until the revolution of 1917 he spent the majority of the time exiled in Europe where he continued his spent the majority of the time exiled in Europe where he continued his political writings and attending socialist meetings.political writings and attending socialist meetings.

TrotskyTrotsky Trotsky became involved in revolutionary activities in 1896Trotsky became involved in revolutionary activities in 1896 At first he was a Populist but was introduced to Marxism later that year. In At first he was a Populist but was introduced to Marxism later that year. In

Jan 1898 he was arrested and spent two years in prison for encouraging Jan 1898 he was arrested and spent two years in prison for encouraging workers in revolutionary activity.workers in revolutionary activity.

Two months after his imprisonment the first Congress of the newly formed Two months after his imprisonment the first Congress of the newly formed Russian Social Democrat Party took place and from then on Trotsky Russian Social Democrat Party took place and from then on Trotsky considered himself a member of the partyconsidered himself a member of the party

1900 – sentenced to four years in exile.1900 – sentenced to four years in exile. 1903 – Sided with the Mensheviks in the split. Left the Mensheviks in 1904 1903 – Sided with the Mensheviks in the split. Left the Mensheviks in 1904

over their insistence on an alliance with the Liberals and their opposition to over their insistence on an alliance with the Liberals and their opposition to reconciliation with Lenin and the Bolsheviks.reconciliation with Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

Until 1917 he described himself as a ‘non-factional’ social democratUntil 1917 he described himself as a ‘non-factional’ social democrat

TrotskyTrotsky Trotsky spent much of his time between 1904 and 1917 trying to reconcile Trotsky spent much of his time between 1904 and 1917 trying to reconcile

different groups within the party which resulted in many clashes with Lenin different groups within the party which resulted in many clashes with Lenin and other prominent party members. Trotsky conceded he had been in the and other prominent party members. Trotsky conceded he had been in the wrong opposing Lenin. During these years Trotsky began developing his wrong opposing Lenin. During these years Trotsky began developing his theory of permanent revolution.theory of permanent revolution.