Leon Trotsky Biography

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

Trotsky helps organize the South Russian Workers Union in Nikolayev

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Escapes to London from Siberia

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

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

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

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

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

Sides with Martov during the early factional dispute.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We are given a Constitution but absolutism remains"

"We are given a Constitution but absolutism remains"

Issues an open letter to liberal politician Pavel Miliukov during the political struggles of the 1905 Revolution.

Develops ideas shaped by the Saint Petersburg Soviet experience.

Writes Political Letter II during the revolutionary upheaval of 1905.

Writes The Events in Petersburg during the revolutionary crisis that brings him back into Russian political activity.

Returns secretly to Russia after Bloody Sunday.

Returns to Russia after the revolutionary crisis begins.

Becomes a central organiser and speaker in the Soviet.

Becomes a major speaker and organiser in the 1905 Soviet.

Emerges as a leading figure in the workers' Soviet.

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

Assumes leading authority after Khrustalev-Nosar's arrest.

Faces prosecution after the suppression of the Soviet.

Supports the Soviet appeal against tsarist finances.

Is arrested after the Soviet is suppressed.

Is arrested when the 1905 Soviet is suppressed.

Is arrested after the Soviet is suppressed.

Is arrested when the 1905 Soviet is suppressed.

Writes Results and Prospects, setting out his theory that the Russian revolution could pass directly toward workers' power.

Defends the actions of the Saint Petersburg Soviet in a major speech during the trial of its deputies.

Escapes while being transported to life exile in Siberia and returns to the European émigré political world.

Writes The Soviet and the Revolution, examining the political significance of the workers' councils created in 1905.

Publishes The Year 1905, analyzing the revolution and the experience of the workers' Soviet.

Settles in Vienna, which becomes his principal base for journalism and émigré Social Democratic activity.

Advocates positions between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

Writes Leo Tolstoy, Poet and Rebel, combining literary criticism with an assessment of Tolstoy's social significance.

Writes The Bankruptcy of Individual Terrorism, arguing against individual assassination as a substitute for mass politics.

Writes The Young Turks while following revolutionary and constitutional developments in the Ottoman Empire.

Publishes Vienna Pravda as a non-factional Social Democratic paper.

Writes The Intelligentsia and Socialism, discussing the political role of intellectuals in the socialist movement.

Publishes On the Party Road in Vienna Pravda while continuing to argue for unity among Russian Social Democrats.

Publishes For Unity: Beyond All Obstacles in Vienna Pravda, pressing his campaign for Social Democratic reunification.

Writes Why Marxists Oppose Individual Terrorism, emphasizing organized class struggle over isolated acts of violence.

Begins reporting from the Balkans for Kievskaya Mysl, covering the First and Second Balkan Wars as a correspondent.

Organizes a Vienna conference seeking to unite anti-Bolshevik and non-factional Social Democratic groups in the August Bloc.

Writes The Balkan War and Socialism while analyzing nationalism, war and socialist policy in southeastern Europe.

Writes to Nikolay Chkheidze during continuing disputes over Bolshevik organization and Social Democratic unity.

Moves to France and works as an anti-war journalist during the first years of the First World War.

Moves from Vienna to neutral Zurich after the outbreak of war to avoid internment in Austria-Hungary.

Writes Parliamentarism and the Working Class as part of his prewar discussion of socialist political strategy.

Publishes Problems of Unity while continuing his effort to bridge divisions in Russian Social Democracy.

Writes The Struggle for Unity and a Marxist Center shortly before the outbreak of the First World War.

Writes War and the International, opposing the world war and criticizing socialist parties that supported their national governments.

Writes First Year of the War as part of his continuing socialist opposition to the First World War.

Attends the international socialist anti-war conference at Zimmerwald, which meets from 5 to 8 September.

Drafts the Zimmerwald Manifest, adopted by the international socialist conference opposing the continuation of the war.

Writes Clemency during his final period of wartime political journalism in France.

Writes On the Events in Dublin in response to the Easter Rising and the national struggle in Ireland.

Writes The Big Lie: The Defence of Small Nations, challenging wartime claims used to justify the conflict.

Writes The National Principle, examining nationalism and the national question during the First World War.

Is expelled from France after sustained anti-war journalism and political activity during the First World War.

Works with the Mezhrayonka, a revolutionary group that moves increasingly toward cooperation with the Bolsheviks.

Writes for the Russian-language socialist newspaper Novy Mir during his brief stay in New York.

The Petrograd Soviet becomes central to Bolshevik political authority.

Writes The Struggle for State Power during the revolutionary confrontation over which institutions should govern Russia.

Arrives in New York after expulsion from Europe and joins the Russian socialist émigré community.

Calls for the re-unification of the Bolsheviks & Mensheviks

Calls for the re-unification of the Bolsheviks & Mensheviks. Calls for an end to the war & for revolution

Calls for the re-unification of the Bolsheviks & Mensheviks

Trotsky leaves exile in New York to return to Russia

Is detained by British authorities in Canada while returning from New York to revolutionary Russia.

Returns to Petrograd after release from British detention and immediately re-enters revolutionary politics.

Opposes moderate Soviet support for coalition government.

Speaks for a more radical Soviet policy.

Warns radicals that an isolated uprising would be dangerous.

Workers and soldiers in Petrograd demand the Soviet takes power, sporadic fighting results and the Soviet restores order with troops brought back from the front, Trotsky is arrested & Lenin goes into hiding

Intervenes to protect Chernov from enraged demonstrators.

Protects Chernov from hostile sailors during the crisis.

Urges demonstrators not to provoke isolated confrontation.

Defends the movement while opposing reckless confrontation.

Remains in Petrograd as arrests of Bolsheviks begin.

Condemns slanders against Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

Challenges the accusation that Bolshevik leaders are German agents.

Is increasingly targeted by the authorities after defending Lenin.

Workers and soldiers demand Soviet power as Trotsky supports restraint.

This record states: Both Trotsky and Zinoviev argued that the street protests remain peaceful so the Bolshevik Military Organisation organize the demonstration.

This record states: Coming out in support of the street demonstrations.

This record states: Mobilizing reinforcements from the front lines and dispatching armored cars to capture key posts including bridges and the Peter and Paul Fortress.

This record states: Under the pressure of what seemed like a developing mass demonstration of workers and soldiers in the streets, the leadership of the Bolshevik Military Organisation, the Petersburg Committee and later on the Central Committee, reversed their decision.

This record states: Both Trotsky and Zinoviev argued that the street protests remain peaceful so the Bolshevik Military Organisation organize the demonstration.

This record states: Coming out in support of the street demonstrations.

This record states: Mobilizing reinforcements from the front lines and dispatching armored cars to capture key posts including bridges and the Peter and Paul Fortress.

This record states: Under the pressure of what seemed like a developing mass demonstration of workers and soldiers in the streets, the leadership of the Bolshevik Military Organisation, the Petersburg Committee and later on the Central Committee, reversed their decision.

Bolshevik leaders reverse course and support the mass demonstrations.

Trotsky argues that street protests should remain peaceful and disciplined.

Trotsky supports Central Committee efforts to restrain the movement.

Under the pressure of what seemed like a developing mass demonstration of workers and soldiers in the streets, the leadership of the Bolshevik Military Organisation, the Petersburg Committee and later on the Central Committee, reversed their decision, coming out in support of the street demonstrations

Is arrested after defending the Bolsheviks.

Is elected to the Bolshevik Central Committee as the party prepares for a new phase of revolutionary struggle.

Joins the Bolshevik Party with the Mezhrayonka during the party's Sixth Congress.

Is released as Bolsheviks gain prestige after the crisis.

Is elected chairman after the Bolshevik majority grows.

Is elected chairman of the Petrograd Soviet.

Replaces moderate leadership as Bolshevik strength grows.

Trotsky strengthens Bolshevik influence within the Petrograd Soviet before the October uprising.

Helps create the committee under Petrograd Soviet authority.

The Petrograd Soviet supports creation of the Military Revolutionary Committee under Bolshevik leadership.

Appointed President of the Military Revolutionary Committee

Appointed President of the Military Revolutionary Committee

The Soviet claims authority over the Petrograd garrison during the crisis.

Claims authority over Petrograd garrison orders through the Soviet.

The Soviet provides organisational support for preparations before the uprising.

Uses Soviet authority to shield Bolshevik preparations.

Announces that the Provisional Government has been overthrown.

Trotsky uses the Petrograd Soviet as a base for revolutionary action.

Presides over Congress as the uprising succeeds.

Presides over the Second Congress as Bolsheviks seize power.

The Second Congress confirms the Bolshevik takeover of government power.

Trotsky presides as Soviet delegates approve the transfer of power.

The Petrograd Soviet becomes a foundation of the new revolutionary government.

Uses the Soviet as a base for new Bolshevik authority.

Trotsky helps organise Soviet resistance against the advance of Krasnov's Cossack forces.

The Petrograd Soviet strengthens its military organisation after the failure of the Kerensky-Krasnov advance.

Helps defend Petrograd from Kerensky-Krasnov forces.

Takes charge of Soviet foreign policy as People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs in the new Council of People's Commissars.

Appointed Commander in Chief

Appointed Commander in Chief

A letter intercepted from Trotsky to a partisan indicates Russia is playing for time

A ceasefire commences between Russia & the Central Powers

A ceasefire commences between Russia & the Central Powers

Brest Litovsk talks begin between Russia & the Central Powers

Official ceasefire between Russia & the Central Powers

Official ceasefire between Russia & the Central Powers

A 28 day armistice is signed with the Central Powers

The 28 day armistice with the Central Powers begins

Talks resume at Brest Litovsk

Peace negotiations commence with the Central Powers

Peace negotiations with the Central Powers are broken off

Orders the death penalty for "bagmen" of foodstuffs

Writes History of the Russian Revolution to Brest-Litovsk, presenting his account of the revolution and early Soviet government.

Writes May Day and the International, linking the Russian Revolution with the wider international socialist movement.

Writes The Principles of Democracy and Proletarian Dictatorship during debates over the political character of Soviet power.

Issues Work, Discipline, and Order to Save the Socialist Soviet Republic during efforts to organize the new Red Army.

Ukrainian nationalists have separate peace talks with the Germans

Ukrainian nationalists have separate peace talks with the Germans

Ukrainian nationalists have separate peace talks with the Germans

The Bolsheviks denounce the terms offerred at the peace negotiations

The Bolsheviks denounce the terms offerred at the peace negotiations

The Ukrainian delegation arrives at the peace negotiations

The Bolsheviks resume negotiations under Trotsky

The Bolsheviks resume negotiations under Trotsky

The Brest negotiations resume with Trotsky heading the Russian delegation. Plays for time but would capitulate if Germany gave an ultimatum

Trotsky breaks off the peace negotiations

Trotsky obtains a 10 day adjournment to return to Petrograd for further instructions. Hoffman demands the German occupation of Poland, Lithuania, White Russia & Latvia

Trotsky suspends the peace negotiations

Trotsky denounces the German Peace Terms as unacceptable and walks out of the peace negotiations at Brest- Litovsk

Trotsky resumes peace talks

Negotiations are resumed with strikes & anti-war demonstrations spreading from Berlin. At this stage Trotskys policy of procrastination seems to be paying off

The Soviet delegates leave Brest Litovsk. Declares the State of war with Germany, Austria, Turkey & Bulgaria at an end

Appointed Head of the Extraordinary Commission for Supply

Appointed Head of the Supply Commission, responsible for food for the cities. Appointed Head of the Extraordinary Commission for Supply

The Germans invade Russia which is all but defenceless as virtually the entire army has deserted

Germany resumes the war against Russia

Trotsky requests French military help. German & Austrian troops resume their offensive against Russia

Trotsky requests French military help during the invasion of Russia

The Soviets accept the German peace terms

Leaves for Brest Litovsk with instructions to sign German peace terms without argument

The Bolsheviks accept the dictated peace of Brest Litovsk

The Bolsheviks accept the dictated peace of Brest Litovsk

Returns from the peace negotiations at Brest

The future of Courland, Lithuania & part of White Russia will be decided locally. Signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. Russian naval bases are stripped. Renounces Riga. Livonia & Estonia are occupied by Germany. A Russo-German peace is signed

Becomes People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs and takes a leading role in building the Red Army.

The Soviets ratify the Treaty of Brest Litovsk. The Soviet Congress ratifies the Treaty of Brest Litovsk

The Allies refuse to recognize the Treaty of Brest Litovsk

A train is constructed for Trotsky to command the Red Army

The White Army has captured Kazan & Trotsky mobilizes his command train to relieve it

Leaves Moscows in his command train, "a flying apparatus of administration"

"The fate of the revolution hangs in the balance". Arrives at Svyazk to go to the relief of Kazan

Supplementary Russo-German Treaty is signed with secret clauses

Commands the re-capture of Kazan from the White Army

Commands the re-capture of Simbirsk from the White Army

The predecessr of the GRU is created under the sponsorship of Leon Trotsky, who was then the civilian leader of the Red Army; it was originally known as the Registration Directorate. Given the task of handling all military intelligence, particularly the collection of intelligence of military or political significance from sources outside the Soviet Union

The Red Army occupies Valuiki

The Red Army occupies Valuiki

The Red Army occupies Dvinsk

The Red Army occupies Dvinsk

The Red Army occupies Minsk

The Red Army occupies Minsk

Helps issue the invitation to the First World Congress that establishes the Communist International in Moscow.

Writes the manifesto adopted by the Communist International's First World Congress addressing workers internationally.

The Politburo is first composed of Lenin, Trotsky, Kamanev, Bukharin & Stalin

Addresses organizational and command problems facing the Red Army during the Civil War.

Delivers a speech on rallying and organizing the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.

Bolshevik forces, filling the vacuum left by the German withdrawal, take Kiev

Bolshevik forces, filling the vacuum left by the German withdrawal, take Kiev

Supports the Comintern as a tool of international revolutionary strategy

Helps organise Red defence against Yudenich.

Drafts "Theses" for the Central Committee advocating disciplined armies of workers

Drafts "Theses" for the Central Committee advocating disciplined armies of workers

The Commission on Labour Obligation is created by Trotsky. The CLO begins the "militarization of labour". Persuades Lenin to create a Commission on Labor Obligation with Trotsky as President

The Commission on Labour Obligation is created by Trotsky. The CLO begins the "militarization of labour"

Persuades Lenin to create a Commission on Labor Obligation with Trotsky as President

At the Congress speaks in favour of the compulsory conscription of Labor

Contributes to the manifesto of the Communist International's Second World Congress.

Writes Nationalism in Lenin while discussing Lenin's approach to internationalism and national questions.

Publishes Terrorism and Communism, defending Bolshevik revolutionary methods in a polemic against Karl Kautsky.

Writes A School of Revolutionary Strategy following the Third Congress of the Communist International.

Gosplan quickly becomes a leading bureaucratic advocate for central planning and expanded investment in heavy industry, with Leon Trotsky one of the leading political patrons of the agency

Writes Lessons of the Paris Commune, drawing strategic conclusions from the 1871 revolutionary government in Paris.

Leads the army units against the Kronstadt sailors

Leads the army units against the Kronstadt sailors

Leads the army units against the Kronstadt sailors

Orders the rebels to submit to Soviet authority.

Supports suppression of the Kronstadt revolt.

Threatens severe punishment unless the sailors surrender.

Defends the suppression as necessary for Soviet survival.

Appointed Commissar for Foreign Affairs

Dismisses leading Russian diplomats including ambassadors in London, Washington & Rome

Publishes Between Red and White, examining revolution, counter-revolution and the national question in the Caucasus.

Reviews the first five years of Soviet power for the Communist International's Fourth World Congress.

A new decree expands Gosoplan's role for both "long-term" and "immediate" plans for production

Gosplan is to be consulted regarding proposed economic and financial decrees submitted to the Council of Peoples Commissars by the Peoples Commissariat

Discusses the New Economic Policy of Soviet Russia and its relationship to the prospects for world revolution.

Writes On the United Front, arguing for common working-class action while maintaining Communist political independence.

Writes The Trade Unions and the Soviet State, discussing labor organizations under the new Soviet political system.

Writes Bureaucratism and Factional Groups during the growing dispute over the Communist Party's internal regime.

Writes Communist Policy Toward Art, rejecting mechanical state control over artistic and literary development.

Addresses Moscow metal workers on the developing revolutionary crisis in Germany.

Writes The New Course, criticizing bureaucratic tendencies and arguing for greater internal party democracy.

Produces Theses on Industry while arguing for stronger economic planning and industrial development.

Trotsky described Zinovievs and Kamenevs opposition to the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917, something that the two would have preferred to be left unmentioned

Trotsky described Zinovievs and Kamenevs opposition to the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917, something that the two would have preferred to be left unmentioned. Publication of "Literature & Revolution"

Writes Against Bureaucracy, Progressive and Unprogressive while continuing his criticism of administrative degeneration.

Publishes the first volume collecting his speeches and writings from the early Communist International.

Writes Lenin Dead after the death of Vladimir Lenin, assessing his revolutionary leadership and historical significance.

Trotsky publishes The Lessons of October, an extensive summary of the events of 1917

Trotsky publishes The Lessons of October, an extensive summary of the events of 1917

Writes Dialectical Materialism and Science, discussing the relationship between Marxist philosophy and scientific inquiry.

Publishes a book on Lenin that combines political portraiture with recollections of revolutionary collaboration.

Publishes Where Is Britain Going, analyzing British politics and the prospects for working-class struggle.

Stalins "Socialism in one country" conflicts with Trotskys "Permanent Revolution". Dismissed as the Chairman of the Russian Revolutionary Council

Writes An Answer to the Stalinist Critics as the struggle inside the Soviet Communist Party intensifies.

Trotsky, Zinoviev & Kamanev present their case against the party leadership

Writes Europe and America, examining economic power and the changing relationship between the two regions.

Publishes Problems of the British Revolution, analyzing the labor movement and revolutionary strategy in Britain.

During a lull in the intra-party fighting in the spring of 1926, Zinoviev, Kamenev and their supporters gravitated closer to Trotskys supporters and the two groups soon formed an alliance known as the United Opposition

Appeals to the rank & file & addresses a demonstration staged at an aircraft factory

Appeals to rank & file party cells & addresses a demonstration at an aircraft factory

Dismissed from the Politburo after calling Stalin "the gravedigger of the Revolution"

Releases Lenins Testsament to the Press

Exiled to Almata

Helps formulate the Platform of the Opposition, presenting the United Opposition's economic and political criticisms of the party leadership.

The Opposition forwards its case to the Politburo against "Socialism in one country"

Trotsky and Zinoviev are expelled from the Central Committee

Forces a discussion of Lenins Testament at the Plenum. Criticizes Stalin at the Plenum. Claims the Politburo has betrayed the Revolution

Dismissed by Stalin from the Central Committee

Stages street demonstrations on the 10th anniversarry of the October Revolution

When the United Opposition tried to organize demonstrations commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Bolshevik seizure of power in November 1927, the demonstrators were dispersed by force and Trotsky and Zinoviev were expelled from the Communist Party

When the United Opposition tried to organize demonstrations commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Bolshevik seizure of power in November 1927, the demonstrators were dispersed by force and Trotsky and Zinoviev were expelled from the Communist Party. Trotsky is expelled from the Communist Party, leaving Stalin in undisputed control

Leading supporters, from Kamenev down, were expelled in December 1927 by the XVth Party Congress, which paved the way for mass expulsions of rank and file oppositionists as well as internal exile of opposition leaders in early 1928

When the United Opposition tried to organize demonstrations commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Bolshevik seizure of power in November 1927, the demonstrators were dispersed by force and Trotsky and Zinoviev were expelled from the Communist Party.

When the XVth Party Congress made Opposition views incompatible with membership in the Communist Party, Zinoviev, Kamenev and their supporters capitulated and renounced their alliance with the Left Opposition.

Writes from internal exile in Alma-Ata while maintaining political contact with supporters of the Left Opposition.

Writes Reply to Stalin from exile as the political conflict with the Soviet leadership continues.

Writes The Third International After Lenin as a criticism of the Communist International's draft program and strategy.

Hauled out of his Kremlin appartment & exiled to Alma Ata

Addresses Soviet workers from exile after his deportation from the Soviet Union.

Writes The Defense of the Soviet Union and the Opposition, defining his position toward the Soviet state from exile.

Trotsky is expelled from Russia

Trotsky is refused political asylum in France

Trotsky is refused political asylum in Germany

Trotsky is refused political asylum in Britain

Trotsky claimed that the 3rd Period policies of the Comintern had contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany. The Trotskyists organised themselves into the International Left Opposition, which is intended to be a group of anti-Stalinist dissenters within the 3rd International. Stalins supporters, who dominated the International, would no longer tolerate dissent, all Trotskyists, and those suspected of being influenced by Trotskyism, are expelled

The Trotskyists organised themselves into the International Left Opposition, which is intended to be a group of anti-Stalinist dissenters within the 3rd International. Stalins supporters, who dominated the International, would no longer tolerate dissent, all Trotskyists, and those suspected of being influenced by Trotskyism, are expelled

Publishes My Life, his autobiography recounting his political development, revolutions, government service and exile.

Writes Germany, the Key to the International Situation, warning that the German crisis has decisive international consequences.

Delivers In Defense of October in Copenhagen, presenting a public defense and historical interpretation of the Russian Revolution.

Calls for new Communist parties and a new international after concluding that the existing Comintern cannot be reformed.

Trotsky is offered asylum in France by Daladier, he stayed first at Royan, then at Barbizon, he was not allowed to visit Paris

Granted asylum in France

Writes For the Fourth International while campaigning to create a new revolutionary international independent of the Comintern.

Claims that the Comintern had fallen irredeemably into the hands of the Stalinist bureaucracy

Feels no longer welcome in France, moves to Norway, a guest of Konrad Knudsen near Oslo

Issues an open letter advocating the construction of a Fourth International.

Made against "terrorist activity of Trotskyite-Zinoviev counter-revolutionary bloc". The most infamous case is that of Leon Trotsky, whose family was almost annihilated, before he himself was killed in Mexico by NKVD agent Ramon Mercader, who was part of an assassination task force put together by Special Agent Pavel Sudoplato

Publishes The Revolution Betrayed, analyzing Soviet bureaucracy and arguing for political revolution against Stalinist rule.

Made against "terrorist activity of Trotskyite-Zinoviev counter-revolutionary bloc"

During the trial, Zinoviev, Kamenev and 14 other accused, most of them prominent Old Bolsheviks, confessed to having plotted with Trotsky to kill Stalin and other members of the Soviet leadership

The court found everybody guilty and sentenced the defendants to death, Trotsky in absentia. During the trial, Zinoviev, Kamenev and 14 other accused, most of them prominent Old Bolsheviks, confessed to having plotted with Trotsky to kill Stalin and other members of the Soviet leadership

The first Moscow show trial of the so-called "Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Center" was staged in front of an international audience. During the trial, Zinoviev, Kamenev and 14 other accused, most of them prominent Old Bolsheviks, confessed to having plotted with Trotsky to kill Stalin and other members of the Soviet leadership

The first Moscow show trial of the so-called "Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Center" was staged in front of an international audience. The court found everybody guilty and sentenced the defendants to death, Trotsky in absentia

Allegedly under influence from Russia, is put under house arrest

Allegedly under influence from Russia, is put under house arrest

Publishes The Stalin School of Falsification, challenging Stalinist accounts of the history of the Bolshevik movement and revolution.

The second show trial of Karl Radek, Grigory Sokolnikov, Yuri Pyatakov and 14 others took place in January 1937, with even more alleged conspiracies and crimes linked to Trotsky

An independent "Commission of Inquiry" into the charges made against Trotsky and others at the "Moscow Trials" was held in Coyoacan, with John Dewey as chairman, the findings were published in the book Not Guilty

Assassination of Lev Sedov, Trotskys son, by Stalins secret police

Trotsky and his supporters founded the 4th International, which was intended to be a revolutionary and internationalist alternative to the Stalinist Comintern

Trotsky and his supporters founded the 4th International, which was intended to be a revolutionary and internationalist alternative to the Stalinist Comintern

Writes the Transitional Program, setting out demands and strategy for the movement that establishes the Fourth International.

Tried in absentia by Stalin, the secret police, the GPU, are sent to hunt Trotsky down

Writes The USSR and the War after the Soviet-German pact and the outbreak of the Second World War.

Writes the Fourth International manifesto on the imperialist war and the tasks of the world socialist revolution.

Trotsky wrote a document known as "Trotskys Testament", in which he expressed his final thoughts and feelings for posterity

Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale

A failed assassination attempt on Trotsky when gunmen fire on his villa

Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale

Assassinated in Mexico City

Death of Leon Trotsky, assassinated