For a certain part of the Western and Russian intelligentsia, including its left-wing radical wing, Lev Davidovich Trotsky-Bronstein (1879 - 1940) is still an idol, an ideal. He is portrayed as a true revolutionary and social democrat who was almost the first to fight Stalin's dictatorial manners and the Soviet bureaucracy, which in the future will lead the USSR to "stagnation." Here is one of the many examples of the ideal image of Trotsky from the lips of the American journalist and writer Christopher Hitchens: "He was a revolutionary romantic, a wise and completely harmless old man with an impeccably clean reputation."
Such a respectful attitude towards the figure of Trotsky and his mythologization, heroization has been characteristic of the Western public since the moment when this fiery revolutionary was expelled from the USSR in 1929. In 1936, Trotsky was greeted with great respect in Mexico; President Lazaro Cardenas even sent him a special train. Trotsky was settled in the villa of the artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. There he worked on the book Revolution Betrayed. In it, he "denounced" Stalin, whom he accused of Bonapartism and called what was happening in the USSR "Stalin's Thermidor" (the Thermidorian coup of 1794 in France led to the overthrow of the Jacobin dictatorship and the establishment of the Directory). Trotsky portrayed himself as a disinterested soldier of the revolution who, while occupying the highest posts in Soviet Russia, did not benefit from this.
It is clear that the Western press picked up these ideas and began to promote Trotsky's "bright image". Stalin became the "perverter" of the bright legacy of Lenin and Trotsky. Later, Khrushchev, the ideological successor of Trotsky, would do the same. At the same time, the Western media will “forget” that during the Civil War in Russia they called Trotsky “the heir of the Jacobins” and “the creator of revolutionary terror”. In 1937, Time magazine named Trotsky as "the knight of European democracy."
For the "Trotskyists," Trotsky became an idol in general. In 1938, Trotsky and his supporters created the Fourth International in France, which was based on the theoretical legacy of Leon Trotsky and was considered an alternative to Stalinism. The Fourth International set as its task the implementation of the world revolution.
Indeed, Trotsky is one of the main figures of the October Revolution, the Civil War, Lenin's closest ally, one of the founding fathers of the Soviet Union, who was predicted to be the leaders of Soviet Russia. However, if you look closely at Trotsky, it becomes obvious that even in this cruel time it is difficult to find a more bloody and cynical figure than Trotsky. He was ready to go, and was already walking, over thousands of corpses, in order to achieve the "bright" goal of the world revolution (building a "new world order").
Youth and the beginning of revolutionary activity
The beginning of Trotsky's revolutionary path was typical of many revolutionary-minded young people at the beginning of the 20th century. Leiba Bronstein was the son of a wealthy landowner and grain merchant in the Kherson province. The mother was from a family of prominent entrepreneurs Zhivotovsky. From the age of 7, the boy studied at a synagogue, then at a school in Odessa. During his studies at a real school, the young man lived in the family of his maternal relative, the owner of the printing house and publisher Moses Spenzer and his wife Fanny Solomonovna, the director of the Jewish girls' school. Bronstein graduated from the seventh grade of the school in Nikolaev, then entered the Faculty of Mathematics at Odessa University. While still a student at the Leib school, he became interested in politics, as a result, he soon abandoned the university and became actively involved in the activities of the South Russian Workers' Union. True, there were almost no workers in this "workers'" union, the majority were from wealthy families. In January 1898 he was arrested for the first time.
Bronstein himself harmed himself with youthful maximalism - he tried to "let the fog", pass himself off as a more important bird, changed his testimony. As a result, the investigation dragged on - from Nikolaev he was transferred to Kherson, spent another year and a half in the Odessa prison, only in 1900 a sentence was pronounced - 4 years of exile. At the same time, Trotsky married Alexandra Sokolovskaya, who was one of the leaders of the Union, 7 years older than him. They left for Siberia as husband and wife. They lived in Ust-Kut, then in Verkholensk. They had two daughters. Bronstein worked as a salesman for a local merchant. He tried himself in literary activity, while still in prison he wrote a treatise on the history of Freemasonry. In Siberia, a number of his articles were published by Vostochnoye Obozreniye. He was "noticed", on the recommendation of GM Krzhizhanovsky, who gave him the nickname "Pen", became an employee of Iskra. And in 1902 they organized an escape abroad. According to Trotsky, in the false passport "at random" he entered the name Trotsky, after the name of the warden of the Odessa prison (Trotsky L. D. My life. M., 2001.). Apparently this is a lie, Trotsky liked to show off, hiding some facts of his biography, sticking out others, embellishing others. Leiba got the passport of retired Colonel Nikolai Trotsky, who died in Yekaterinoslavl (there was a centralized system for supplying passports to opponents of the regime). He left his wife and small children in Siberia without hesitation. They parted forever, Trotsky's first family was no longer interested. The daughters will be raised by the parents of Bronstein-Trotsky.
Bronstein's escape was well organized. He drove to Irkutsk without hindrance, here from someone he received good clothes, money, a ticket and documents. The path was prepared in advance. Leiba drove to Samara, where Iskra's headquarters was located, here Krzhizhanovsky gave him a further route, attendance and money. In Ukraine, in the region of Kamenets-Podolsk, they were already waiting for him and prepared a "window" in the border. On the territory of Austria-Hungary, they were also waiting for him, provided with everything he needed and put him on a train. In Vienna, Trotsky went straight to Viktor Adler, who was the "shadow" personnel officer of the socialist international. The prominent Austrian politician greeted Trotsky warmly, talked to him and, apparently, was satisfied. Bronstein was considered a figure worthy of attention and promotion.
In emigration
Trotsky was again supplied with currency, documents and sent to London, to Lenin. Trotsky was well received there as well. Initially, Trotsky became friends with Lenin. Trotsky even began to be called "Lenin's club", since in political disputes he defended Lenin's position and theses more strongly than their author himself. Trotsky became an active collaborator of Iskra, Lenin even wanted to introduce him to the editorial board, but Plekhanov opposed him, who did not want to strengthen the position of his opponent. Lev Davidovich was sent to various cities. In Paris, he met the "progressive" daughter of a Russian merchant, Natalya Sedova, who criticized Orthodoxy at the Kharkov Institute of Noble Maidens, for which she was expelled. The father sent his daughter to continue her education at the Sorbonne. In 1903, she became Trotsky's second wife, albeit illegal, since Trotsky did not divorce A. L. Sokolovskaya and the marriage with Sedova was not registered.
In 1903, after the collapse of the RSDLP into "Bolsheviks" and "Mensheviks," Trotsky unexpectedly joined the Mensheviks. His self-esteem grew, Trotsky spoke out against tough party discipline, did not want to obey anyone. Moreover, Lenin did not introduce him to the new editorial board of Ikra, and Trotsky considered himself worthy of this position. Trotsky, like Lenin, used the same methods in disputes, turning to personalities, so they quarreled and turned from comrades into enemies. True, Trotsky did not make friends with the Mensheviks for long. They parted, the formal reason for the dispute over the role of the liberal bourgeoisie. The main reason was the growth of Trotsky's ambitions. He no longer wanted to follow any trend. I saw myself in the role of an independent politician.
For a political emigrant, such quarrelsomeness could turn out badly. The very existence of most revolutionaries abroad was ensured through an organization that provided them with money and work. However, Trotsky was clearly "led." He receives an invitation from Alexander Parvus. Goes with his wife to Munich and meets the most cordial welcome. They are settled in the Parvus mansion, Trotsky lives on everything ready. Lev Davidovich obviously liked the owner. Parvus (Israel Lazarevich Gelfand) was a very interesting figure. Was born near Minsk, but the family moved to Odessa. Israel graduated from high school, became a revolutionary and emigrated. Abroad, he not only engaged in revolutionary activities and studied, but also noted himself as a successful entrepreneur, amassed a decent fortune. For the success of the business, he joined the ranks of the Freemasons (Illuminati), had contacts with the special services of Germany and England. Parvus formed a new revolutionary center in Germany (the other was in Switzerland). He was one of the first to "introduce" Lenin there.
Parvus carried out a "special" training for Trotsky, enthralled him with the theory of "permanent revolution". In 1905, Trotsky and Parvus are going to Russia. They go to Vienna to see Adler, receive documents and money from him, change clothes and try to change their appearance. It was a routine espionage operation. So Trotsky embarked on the path of an active struggle against the Russian statehood. The special services of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at this time were actively playing the "Ukrainian card". Galicia then belonged to Vienna, and Catholicism, Uniatism was actively implanted in it, the local intelligentsia was "Germanized". In Russia, Vienna nurtured and supported Ukrainian nationalists, kept under control the "national" trends of socialists and liberals in Little Russia. Through these channels, Parvus, Trotsky and his wife were transferred to Russia.
Revolution of 1905-1907
In Kiev, Trotsky panicked, it seemed to him that he was "under a hood" and he "lay down on the bottom" (became "sick" in a private clinic). But then he was taken under the tutelage of L. Krasin, who held a high position in the German company "Simmens-Schuckert" and had good contacts in Germany. During the 1905 revolution, Krasin was engaged in the supply of weapons for military squads from abroad. An interesting fact is that at this time Trotsky was not associated with either the Bolsheviks or the Mensheviks, and he was not a prominent figure among the Social Democrats, but Krasin began to patronize him. He brought Trotsky and Sedova to Petersburg, arranged for them. Here Trotsky had a new breakdown. Sedova was detained, although there was no crime behind her, and Trotsky fled to Finland. Krasin helped Trotsky there too, found him, arranged for him, gave him contacts.
In mid-October, Trotsky returned to Petersburg, and Parvus was also there. They launched a vigorous activity. The leader was Parvus, he was connected with foreign sponsors of the First "Russian" revolution. Considerable money was spent on the revolution, and Parvus used it to organize the publication of Rabochaya Gazeta, Nachala and Izvestia. They were printed in such massive numbers that they filled up St. Petersburg and Moscow. They also published articles by Trotsky and other Russian and German revolutionaries. Trotsky is being actively promoted. He, who still does not have any merit, is being pushed to the post of deputy chairman of the Petrograd Soviet. Its formal chairman was G. S. Khrustalev-Nosar, but the real leaders of the Council were Parvus and Trotsky.
From this moment it becomes clear that the "world behind the scenes", which in the late 19th and early 20th centuries set a course for the destruction of the Russian Empire, found Trotsky a suitable candidate for the post of leader of the "Russian" revolution. He was smart, resourceful, manageable and ambitious. That is why Lev Davidovich was "served" by such prominent figures as Adler, Parvus and Krasin. Trotsky these days shone, flaunted. In addition to the talent of a journalist, he had another one - Trotsky was an excellent orator. He himself loved to perform in front of the public, a good artist disappeared in him. Trotsky himself ignited, brought himself and the crowd to ecstasy. People were kindled not even by the content of his speeches, but by the emotional charge.
At the same time, the process of "mashing" Lenin was going on. He is ousted from the leadership, the Central Committee adopts a declaration against him, forbidding him to contact Russia directly. In response, Lenin left the Central Committee. Even earlier he had finally quarreled with Plekhanov and left the editorial board of Iskra. Lenin did not even know about Krasin's activities in the supply of weapons. He was going to go to Russia in October, after the amnesty, but an overlay came out. A courier with the documents was supposed to arrive in Stockholm, but Lenin wastedly waiting for him for two weeks. One gets the feeling that he was deliberately detained. Lenin was able to come to the Russian Empire only in November, when all the leading posts were occupied. Lenin turned out to be no destiny! He spent the night with friends, began to publish in the newspaper "New Life" of Gorky. I went to Moscow, but even there I could not find a suitable place for myself. The contrast compared to Trotsky was amazing. One was diligently taken care of, "moved", the other, more deserved and authoritative, became useless to anyone.
However, at this time, the empire's immunity was still strong. The virus of the revolution was suppressed. The authorities, having overcome the first confusion, began to take active steps. Khrustalev was arrested on November 26, 1905. The executive committee of the Petrograd Soviet officially elected Trotsky as chairman, but already on December 3 he and a group of deputies were taken under white ruchens to the place where such figures should be. Parvus was soon arrested. Events 1905-1907 show that the revolution of 1917, with the political will of the supreme power, could be suppressed.
In September 1906, the court session was opened. Trotsky burst out into such a speech that he brought himself to an epileptic seizure, delighting the public with his oratorical abilities. The laws for the "political", which did not kill anyone personally, did not blow up, were soft. Although Trotsky's leadership role was taken into account, he was sentenced to eternal settlement in Siberia with the deprivation of all civil rights. Trotsky was sent to the Tobolsk province. Parvus was exiled to the Turukhansk region. But neither one nor the other reached their destination. The money was handed over to them in the capital, and the documents were handed over on the way. The "political" were transported without severity. Trotsky fled from Berezovo. Then Trotsky composed a beautiful story of how he deceived the tsarist secret police with his intelligence and cunning, and raced on reindeer across the winter tundra. It was obvious that Trotsky was helped to get to the nearest railway station, then he reached Finland by train. Parvus also escaped. Trotsky and Parvus left without difficulty for Western Europe. Unlike Lenin, who was hiding in the forest and leaving for the islands on the ice, he almost died, falling into the wormwood.
Second emigration
Trotsky wrote the book "There and Back". It was immediately promoted from a distance and promoted, made a bestseller. I must say that some time after the defeat of the revolution in Russia, the fled revolutionaries were in poverty. The funding channels have dried up. However, Trotsky stood out here too. He did not have to look for a means of subsistence, everything around him appeared in a "magical" way. I rented a good apartment in Vienna. He joined the Social Democratic Party of Austria and Germany, became a correspondent for the German newspaper Forverts.
At this time, when the social-democratic emigration was in decline, quarreled and broke up into groups, the Ukrainian socialist organization "Spilka" also decayed. Their newspaper Pravda, which was published in Lvov, fell into decay. Then the Austrians, who supervised the "Ukrainians", suggested that Trotsky should head the newspaper. But the negotiations between the "Spilka" delegation and Trotsky did not lead to success, the candidacy of Lev Davidovich was rejected. Then someone offered Trotsky to head the newspaper without the consent of "Spilka". And Trotsky opened a newspaper in 1908 not in provincial Lvov, but in the imperial capital - Vienna. "Splilka" tried to protest, but no one heard her. One of the leaders of the German Social Democrats, the editor of Forverts, Hilferding, began to allocate money for the newspaper. The first cadres of "Trotskyism" began to group around the newspaper - A. Ioffe, M. Uritsky, M. Skobelev, etc.
During this period, Trotsky became close to the Freudians, read with interest the works of Freud and even attended his lectures. Trotsky was so delighted with this teaching that he compared it in significance and depth with the works of Marx.
Victor Adler continued to patronize Trotsky. He introduced him to the Austro-German political elite. Trotsky regularly visited the Central cafe, where high society gathered. And Trotsky, a failed revolutionary, alone and the editors of numerous émigré newspapers, were accepted as equals! This cannot be explained by the greatness of his mind and personality. He was not a great scientist, traveler, writer, or a person worthy of attention. Trotsky has not yet committed a single important historical act. Although he was bursting with ambition, and he tried to pretend to be a historical figure. All this in him was combined with the habits of a small-town shopkeeper. Trotsky was petty, greedy, and stooped to petty cheating. He liked to borrow, but did not like to repay debts. I didn’t pay at the cafe on a regular basis and “forgot” about it. Periodically he moved from apartment to apartment without paying the previous owners. Another person would have been punished long ago. But he got away with it. Austrian high society turned a blind eye to his antics, he was allowed to feel part of the "elite". The doors of the cafe were not closed in front of him, they rented out good housing.
Trotsky was cherished for the future. They were patiently tinkering with him, preparing for the Big Game …
