Leon Trotsky Biography and Timeline

Birth of Leon Trotsky

Leon Trotsky is born Lev Davidovich Bronshtein in Yanovka, Kherson Province of the Russian Empire (todays Bobrynets Raion, Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine)

South Russian Workers Union

Trotsky helps organize the South Russian Workers Union in Nikolayev

Arrest of Leon Trotsky

Over 200 members of the South Russian Workers Union, including Trotsky, are arrested

South Russian Workers Union

Over 200 members of the South Russian Workers Union, including Trotsky, are arrested

Bolshevik Party

Trotsky and most of the Iskra editors supported Martov and the Mensheviks while Plekhanov supported Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Pro-Iskra delegates unexpectedly split into two factions, Lenin and his supporters (known as Bolsheviks) argued for a smaller but highly organized party, Martov and his supporters (known as Mensheviks) argued for a larger and less disciplined party

Menshevik Party

Trotsky and most of the Iskra editors supported Martov and the Mensheviks while Plekhanov supported Lenin and the Bolsheviks. Pro-Iskra delegates unexpectedly split into two factions, Lenin and his supporters (known as Bolsheviks) argued for a smaller but highly organized party, Martov and his supporters (known as Mensheviks) argued for a larger and less disciplined party

RSDLP

Pro-Iskra delegates unexpectedly split into two factions, Lenin and his supporters (known as Bolsheviks) argued for a smaller but highly organized party, Martov and his supporters (known as Mensheviks) argued for a larger and less disciplined party.

RSDLP

The first congress went as planned, with Iskra supporters handily defeating the few "economist" delegates.

RSDLP

Trotsky and most of the Iskra editors supported Martov and the Mensheviks while Plekhanov supported Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

On the Philosophy of the Superman

Writes an early essay criticizing Nietzschean individualism and examining the social meaning of the superman idea.

On Optimism and Pessimism

Writes On Optimism and Pessimism, reflecting on historical change and the prospects of the new century.

Exile of Leon Trotsky

Escapes to London from Siberia

Iskra Editorial Collaboration

Begins working with Lenin, Plekhanov, Martov and other Russian Social Democrats around the émigré newspaper Iskra.

RSDLP

Appointed Member of RSDP, after meeting Lenin for the 1st time

Trotsky Pseudonym Adopted

Escapes Siberian exile using papers bearing the name Trotsky, the surname he thereafter uses publicly.

Second Congress

Sides with Martov during the early factional dispute.

Role range: 1898-1918 – 1903-1904

RSDLP

The first Congress of the newly formed Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) is held, and from then on Trotsky considered himself a member of the party

RSDLP

The first Congress of the newly formed Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) is held, and from then on Trotsky considered himself a member of the party. After a period of secret police repression and internal confusion that followed the first party Congress in 1898, Iskra succeeded in convening the party's 2nd congress in London in August 1903, Trotsky and other Iskra editors attend

Bolshevik Party

Trotsky left the Mensheviks in September 1904 over their insistence on an alliance with Russian liberals and their opposition to a reconciliation with Lenin and the Bolsheviks. During these years Trotsky began developing his theory of permanent revolution, which led to a close working relationship with Alexander Parvus in 1904-1907

Menshevik Party

Trotsky left the Mensheviks in September 1904 over their insistence on an alliance with Russian liberals and their opposition to a reconciliation with Lenin and the Bolsheviks

Permanent Revolution

During these years Trotsky began developing his theory of permanent revolution, which led to a close working relationship with Alexander Parvus in 1904-1907

RSDLP

Trotsky left the Mensheviks in September 1904 over their insistence on an alliance with Russian liberals and their opposition to a reconciliation with Lenin and the Bolsheviks. During these years Trotsky began developing his theory of permanent revolution, which led to a close working relationship with Alexander Parvus in 1904-1907

Our Political Tasks

Publishes Our Political Tasks, criticizing Lenin's concept of party organization after the Bolshevik-Menshevik split.

Role range: 1898-1918

Report of the Siberian Delegation

Writes Report of the Siberian Delegation during the factional disputes following the RSDLP Second Congress.

Role range: 1898-1918

The Proletariat and the Revolution

Writes The Proletariat and the Revolution while developing his analysis of the coming Russian revolutionary struggle.

Role range: 1898-1918

Bloody Sunday

Returns secretly to Russia after Bloody Sunday.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Bloody Sunday

Returns to Russia after the revolutionary crisis begins.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Saint Petersburg Soviet

Emerges as a leading figure in the workers' Soviet.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Soviet of Saint Petersburg

Helps found the Saint Petersburg Soviet, 50 such Soviets are soon founded all over Russia

Saint Petersburg Soviet

Becomes a central organiser and speaker in the Soviet.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Saint Petersburg Soviet

Becomes a major speaker and organiser in the 1905 Soviet.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Soviet Chairmanship

Assumes leading authority after Khrustalev-Nosar's arrest.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Financial Manifesto

Supports the Soviet appeal against tsarist finances.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Arrest of Leon Trotsky

Is arrested after the Soviet is suppressed.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Arrest of Leon Trotsky

Is arrested when the 1905 Soviet is suppressed.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Arrest of Soviet

Is arrested after the Soviet is suppressed.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Arrest of Soviet

Is arrested when the 1905 Soviet is suppressed.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1905

Trial of Soviet Deputies

Faces prosecution after the suppression of the Soviet.

Role range: 1905-1905 – 1905-1906

Constitution of Russia

"We are given a Constitution but absolutism remains"

Izvestia

"We are given a Constitution but absolutism remains"