What were the weaknesses of Trotsky?
Members of the party regarded Trotsky as ‘dangerously ambitious’. This, along with the fact that he was ‘excessively self-confident’ (Lenin’s Testament) gave him an air of arrogance. His unpopular personality traits were in sharp contrast to Stalin, who was reliably self-effacing.
What were Stalin’s strengths?
Stalin’s strengths were fundamental to his success of taking control of the Soviet Union in the years 1924-1928. One primary example was Stalin’s use of his political position to manipulate others, such as tricking Leon Trotsky into attending Lenin’s funeral on the wrong date.
How did Trotsky lose power?
After the death of Lenin (January 1924) and the rise of Joseph Stalin, Trotsky gradually lost his government positions; the Politburo eventually expelled him from the Soviet Union in February 1929. He spent the rest of his life in exile, writing prolifically and engaging in open critique of Stalinism.
Why did Stalin rise to power over Trotsky?
The weaknesses and failures of Stalin’s opponents were not the main reason why Stalin rose to power over Trotsky. However, it did slightly affect the outcome of the power struggle. In some historians’ point of view, such as E.H Carr and I. Deutscher, they hold the conviction that Trotsky had “no talent for leadership among equals”. [ 1]
What were Trotsky’s strengths and weaknesses?
Trotsky had a great advantage because as commander of the Red Army, he was in a strong position to crush his opposition. However, Trotsky did show some weaknesses and his arrogant manner convinced the Politburo members’ fears. In Lenin’s view, “He has displayed excessive self-assurance”.
What happened to Trotsky and the Left Opposition?
The violence swept away both supporters and opponents of Stalin and Stalinism. Radek and Rakovsky, former allies of Trotsky who later submitted to Stalin, were killed. So, too, was Nikolai Bukharin, one of Bolshevism’s leading theoreticians, a sharp critic of Trotsky and the Left Opposition, and a onetime backer of Stalin.
Did Trotsky have a talent for leadership among equals?
In some historians’ point of view, such as E.H Carr and I. Deutscher, they hold the conviction that Trotsky had “no talent for leadership among equals”. [ 1] On the similar side of the debate, G. Hosking, a Scottish historian, described Stalin’s opponents to be rather incautious.