Politics & World • Revolutionary

Leon Trotsky

Leon Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist, and Soviet politician who played a leading role in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early Soviet state.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Leon Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist, and Soviet politician who played a leading role in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the early Soviet state. He served as commissar of foreign affairs and later commissar of war, helped organize the Red Army, and was later exiled by Joseph Stalin before being assassinated in Mexico in 1940.

Early life and revolutionary activity

Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein on November 7, 1879 (Old Style October 26, 1879) in Yanovka, Russian Empire (now in Ukraine). He became involved in revolutionary politics in the Russian Empire and emerged as an important Marxist leader before 1917.

Role in the Russian Revolution and civil war

Trotsky was a key leader in the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 and in the early Soviet government. He served as Soviet commissar of foreign affairs from 1917 to 1918 and commissar of war from 1918 to 1924, and helped organize and direct the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.

Conflict with Stalin and exile

After Lenin’s death in 1924, Trotsky gradually lost influence in the Communist Party to Joseph Stalin. He was removed from power, expelled from the Soviet Union in 1929, and continued opposing Stalin from abroad, eventually living in Mexico.

Death and legacy

Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico City on August 21, 1940, by Ramón Mercader, acting on Stalin’s orders. He is remembered for his theory of permanent revolution and for inspiring Trotskyism, a current within Marxist politics.

Key facts

Trotsky was a key leader in the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 and in the early Soviet government.
He served as Soviet commissar of foreign affairs from 1917 to 1918 and commissar of war from 1918 to 1924.
He helped organize and direct the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.
After Lenin’s death, Trotsky lost the power struggle to Joseph Stalin and was removed from Soviet politics.
He was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1929 and later lived in Mexico, where he was assassinated in 1940.

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Canadian context

Trotsky is relevant to Canadian readers through the history of socialist, communist, and anti-Stalinist political movements, as well as twentieth-century leftist intellectual debates in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Leon Trotsky?

Leon Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist, and Soviet political leader who helped lead the 1917 revolution and the early Soviet state.

What was Trotsky’s role in the Russian Revolution?

He was one of the leading Bolsheviks in the 1917 Revolution and helped establish the new Soviet government.

What was Trotsky’s role in the Red Army?

Trotsky helped organize and direct the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.

Why was Trotsky exiled?

He lost a power struggle with Joseph Stalin after Lenin’s death and was removed from Soviet politics before being exiled in 1929.

How did Trotsky die?

He was assassinated in Mexico in 1940 by Ramón Mercader, acting on Stalin’s orders.

What is Trotskyism?

Trotskyism is a Marxist tradition associated with Trotsky’s ideas, especially his advocacy of permanent revolution.

References

Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leon-Trotsky
Supports: Birth, death, roles in Soviet government, exile, and broad biography.
BBC History — https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/trotsky_leon.shtml
Supports: Trotsky’s political importance, exile, and assassination.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum — https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/leon-trotsky
Supports: Trotsky’s exile, opposition to Stalin and Hitler, and murder in Mexico.