Trotsky becomes People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs

While jailed, Trotsky urged joint defense against General Kornilov’s attempted counterrevolution. The episode showed temporary cooperation between political forces otherwise divided, and the central...

The Provisional Government released Trotsky and other imprisoned Bolsheviks after the failed Kornilov coup. His renewed political activity came amid growing Soviet support for peace and transfer of...

As Bolshevik influence grew among workers and the garrison, the Soviet elected Trotsky chairman. The institution’s strength reflected delegates’ response to demands for peace, land, and bread, not...

The committee organized the defense of the Soviet and coordinated garrison units. Trotsky helped lead it as the Bolsheviks contested the Provisional Government; the MRC became the operational center...

The Military Revolutionary Committee occupied key points and overthrew the Provisional Government in Petrograd. Trotsky was central to the operation, while the transfer of power was contested across...

Trotsky ended negotiations without signing Germany’s terms and declared that Soviet Russia would demobilize but not continue fighting. German forces soon resumed their advance, exposing the risks of...

After refusing to sign the imposed terms and Germany resumed its advance, Trotsky defended the decision to accept a harsh treaty as necessary to preserve the new Soviet government. This was a...

After the German offensive, the Soviet government accepted a treaty that ceded Ukraine, the Baltic provinces, Finland, and other territories. Trotsky had opposed signing under those terms but...

Trotsky took charge of rebuilding military capacity as civil war and foreign intervention widened. The new army drew on former imperial officers under political supervision, a pragmatic decision...

He argued for creating a disciplined regular army as civil war expanded, a break with older socialist militia expectations. The policy relied on conscription and former imperial officers, raising...