Compare and Contrast the Role of Lenin and Trotsky in Establishing and Contributing to the Communist State in Russia From 1917-1924

Lenin and Trotsky had both been able to contribute to the establishment and consolidation of a communist state in Russia 1917-24. In the beginning, before the Civil War, Lenin's past seemed to be the one of spreading ideology to communism by his speeches, slogans and other forms of propaganda. On the other hand, Trotsky was more of a realist. He took care of the action the Bolsheviks had to take in order to be successful. He, assumingly, led the Bolshevik riots in the July days and defeated the Provisional Government. He was also the one to have led the Bolsheviks to victory in the Civil War.

Lenin's ideal way of spreading communism was mainly by brainwashing the Russian people. We he returned to Russia in 1917 he published his April Thesis calling out for Peace Bread and Land, appealing to the people because it was the least they demanded and what the P.G. had been unable to offer. Lenin was a brilliant speaker and was soon able to appeal and gain support of the people. This brainwashing can clearly be seen later through the fanatical devotion of the Red Army which served him. It was also seen as one reason the Bolsheviks won the war. The soldiers in the Red Army were devoted to him and held strong beliefs that they were fighting for communism and hence a better world.

His rule after the October Revolution was not so appealing however. When elections were held at the end of 1917 for the new government, the Bolsheviks lost against the Social Revolutionaries. He killed all those opposed to his rule which he extended to decree. Thus illustrating his brutality in seizing power and would be repeated again.

He promised the Germans to take Russia out of WWI in exchange for money for his campaigns. Lenin did so in 1918 when he signed the Treaty of B.L. giving the Germans parts of their land such as the Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states, etc. This would later hurt the Russians when the British Americans and others, angered by such betrayal, actively supported the Whites in the Russian Civil War.

The communist state under Lenin was one of terror. The Cheka (secret police) attacked and killed all who dared oppose. Censorship too prevented Russians from learning the truth about the situation at the time. Lenin claimed a totalitarian state was needed until Russia was fully communist.

He also introduced an economic policy called war communism through the civil war. It was very harsh: farmers were prohibited from selling their surplus, all forms of private business forbidden, and there was absolutely no human freedom.

It can thus be seen that Lenin's motives to become a communist leader was more from a desire to become an important figure himself. He showed no mercy in establishing rules and policies even though it might have hurt the country and its people. However, he was not a hypocrite but used communism as a tool to get into power even if he did believe in it.

Trotsky was a strategist and instead of appealing to the masses was more interested in making plans and taking action to lead the Bolsheviks to success. It can be said that if Lenin was to have acted alone, communism would have gone nowhere, but thanks to Trotsky the P.G. was overthrown and the civil war won.

Since the July days, Trotsky was in charge of the military wing of the Bolsheviks. In July 1917, the Bolsheviks rose against the P.G. but were suppressed. Although sources say it was the Bolsheviks alone who went on strike with no influence from their leaders, it is assumed that Trotsky had supported the strike. Also, he was the one to have led the Bolsheviks in their first great success in November. A leftwing general (sic) Kornilov, initiated a coup whereby he attempted to overthrow the P.G. which, due to its weakness, had to ask Trotsky and the Bolsheviks for help. The decision to aid the P.G. in suppressing the coup even though at the same time competing with the government had given great publicity for Trotsky and the Bolsheviks.

Trotsky was also the one who was able to lead the Bolsheviks to victory in the civil war against the Whites. He was a brilliant war strategist and was skilful at defeating the White armies. In 1919 he defeated Admiral Kolchak who was attacking from the East and in 1920 defeated the remaining troops in the Crimea.

Lenin was influencing the mind of the people in order to promote communism and gain support. Trotsky might not have appealed as much to the people but, without him, the Bolsheviks would never have been able to successfully set up a commie state.