'Everyone Is a Product of Their Times'. How Accurate Is This Statement in Regards to Leon Trotsky?
Everyone is a product of their circumstance, yet, consequential individuals can shape events within their times. Leon Trotsky, key member of the Russian Bolshevik party in the early 20th century, exemplifies this statement. Born into a period of turbulent change socially and politically, due to the Russian industrial revolution, Trotsky was shaped by his context and events in early life. However, it is to a greater extent that Trotsky was a significant player and shaper of events within his times, being the November revolution of 1917 and the Russian civil war. Yet, as fervor for change lessened, so did Trotsky’s prominence; he was too associated with International Marxism to adapt to the new world.
Born into a world of change due Russian Industrial revolution, Trotsky was shaped by his historical context and early life. The Revolution took place in the late 19th century. Industrialization was occurring at a fast rate with export of grains and coal increasing, however the working class was still repressed. Trotsky was introduced to a place where change was prevalent, yet nothing had been done for the proletariat. This impacted on his views that became apparent in later life. Trotsky was introduced to Communism in 1897. Being an inexperienced political activist, he was caught and exiled to Siberia. Trotsky was aware of leading Marxist Russians residing in London, including Martov and Lenin, and he escaped to join them. Arriving in 1902, Trotsky established a strong relationship with Lenin, who appreciated his literary abilities. Lenin checked Trotsky’s writing, especially articles for the Communist newspaper ‘Iskra’. However, in the Party Congress of 1903, the Social democratic party split into the Lenin led Bolsheviks and Martov headed Mensheviks. Trotsky stood against Lenin, stating that his theories went against Marxist notion of freeing the working classes. Through the context of his times, and early life experiences, it can be discerned that events
Born into a world of change due Russian Industrial revolution, Trotsky was shaped by his historical context and early life. The Revolution took place in the late 19th century. Industrialization was occurring at a fast rate with export of grains and coal increasing, however the working class was still repressed. Trotsky was introduced to a place where change was prevalent, yet nothing had been done for the proletariat. This impacted on his views that became apparent in later life. Trotsky was introduced to Communism in 1897. Being an inexperienced political activist, he was caught and exiled to Siberia. Trotsky was aware of leading Marxist Russians residing in London, including Martov and Lenin, and he escaped to join them. Arriving in 1902, Trotsky established a strong relationship with Lenin, who appreciated his literary abilities. Lenin checked Trotsky’s writing, especially articles for the Communist newspaper ‘Iskra’. However, in the Party Congress of 1903, the Social democratic party split into the Lenin led Bolsheviks and Martov headed Mensheviks. Trotsky stood against Lenin, stating that his theories went against Marxist notion of freeing the working classes. Through the context of his times, and early life experiences, it can be discerned that events