How Far Do You Agree That Trotsky’s Leadership of the Red...

How far do you agree that Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army was responsible for the survival of the Bolshevik government? (30 marks) There were many factors that contributed to the survival of the Bolshevik Government, ranging from Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army to the failings of the Bolsheviks’ rivals for power. This essay shows that the main reason for the Bolsheviks’ continued survival through the period was not Trotsky’s great leadership of the Red Army, but the opposition’s mistakes and failings. This will be demonstrated by analysing the key factors leading to the survival of the Bolshevik Government: Trotsky’s leadership; Lenin’s leadership; The Bolsheviks’ geographical advantage; and finally the Bolsheviks’ enemies’†¦show more content†¦Much of the strategy employed by Trotsky and his generals was designed to weaken the enemies transport system so that they could not effectively organise and coordinate troop movements. Therefore many battles took place near sections of train track and stations, which crippled many enemy a ttacks and allowed the Bolsheviks to crush each attack and then move on, rather than fighting on several fronts. This great strategy employed by Trotsky helped the Bolshevik Government survive, and without Trotsky and his control of the Red Army, the Bolshevik Government would most likely not have survived. A further factor that contributed to the survival of the Bolshevik Government was Lenin’s great leadership of the whole Bolshevik party. At first glance, it appears as though Lenin played only a small role during the Civil War because he remained in Moscow throughout, however, when looked at more closely it can be seen that Lenin was a key decision maker. Lenin forced through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk when many opposed it; he did this because he had promised peace to the public and he needed their support to have any chance of winning the Civil War, and therefore helping the Bolshevik Government survive. Lenin also instigated the policy of War Communism, in which industry was