What would the effects be if Trotsky, not Stalin, became the leader of the USSR after Lenin's death. How this came to be is open, likely Stalin's death or removal from power.

But what would the effect be on the world if Trotsky became dictator, specifically how would the USSR and world Communism develop.

Also, would the Third Reich perform better or worse against Trotskyist Soviet Union than they did historically? Probably not a purge on the scale of the Great Purge of 1936, but likely not as industrialized as OTL.

Discuss below.
 
This question has been asked many, many times - and rightly so, because it's a fascinating world-changing WI - it's just a shame that there has never been a TL about a Trotskyist USSR. But that's understandable because it would be a difficult undertaking I guess.
 
This question has been asked many, many times - and rightly so, because it's a fascinating world-changing WI - it's just a shame that there has never been a TL about a Trotskyist USSR. But that's understandable because it would be a difficult undertaking I guess.

It's pretty much ASB.

But ya, I am wondering if its worth writing a Trotsky general secretary TL just because these questions just keep on coming.

fasquardon
 
It's pretty much ASB.

But ya, I am wondering if its worth writing a Trotsky general secretary TL just because these questions just keep on coming.

fasquardon

How about these PODs:

1. Fanny Kaplan misses her gunshots at Lenin, who completely avoids the bullets piercing his body. Thus his health is much better and he lives more than a decade longer than IOTL, eventually dying sometime in 1934-1936. During his longer reign he anoints and cements Trotsky as his successor.

2. Stalin dies during the Russian Civil War, probably during the Battle of Tsaritsyn or in the Polish-Soviet War.

3. The post of General-Secretary of the Party is never created. It's functions remain split between several different official posts/roles (like it was before the rise of Stalin).

4. Zinoviev and Bukharin both die of illness or accidents during or shortly after the Russian Civil War (like Sverdlov, Frunze, and Iron Felix IOTL). Thus the Centre and Right factions lose their most capable and prominent leaders, and Kamenev, Rykov, Tomsky, Molotov, etc all fall into line.
 
2. Stalin dies during the Russian Civil War, probably during the Battle of Tsaritsyn or in the Polish-Soviet War.

Nope. The rest of the Bolsheviks still hate Trotsky and still have better political skills than he does.

3. The post of General-Secretary of the Party is never created. It's functions remain split between several different official posts/roles (like it was before the rise of Stalin).

The rest of the Bolsheviks still make sure to minimize Trotsky's power in the regime.

4. Zinoviev and Bukharin both die of illness or accidents during or shortly after the Russian Civil War (like Sverdlov, Frunze, and Iron Felix IOTL). Thus the Centre and Right factions lose their most capable and prominent leaders, and Kamenev, Rykov, Tomsky, Molotov, etc all fall into line.

Trotsky is still hard to get along with, and Zinoviev and Bukharin's successors don't like him. Someone other than Trotsky becomes the big power in the politburo.

1. Fanny Kaplan misses her gunshots at Lenin, who completely avoids the bullets piercing his body. Thus his health is much better and he lives more than a decade longer than IOTL, eventually dying sometime in 1934-1936. During his longer reign he anoints and cements Trotsky as his successor.

Maybe. It requires a second PoD though.

A) Fanny Kaplan misses.

and

B) Lenin grows closer to Trotsky during his extra decade of life.

People forget that Lenin had a goodly number of disagreements with Trotsky.

fasquardon
 
I'll controversially suggest that Trotsky was more likely to become leader of the Soviets if Lenin died earlier - the peak of his popularity and power was probably during the 1918-1921 period where he was essentially second only to Lenin. But, yeah, would love to see a Trotskyist Soviet timeline, would even be willing to collab on one.
 
I'll controversially suggest that Trotsky was more likely to become leader of the Soviets if Lenin died earlier - the peak of his popularity and power was probably during the 1918-1921 period where he was essentially second only to Lenin. But, yeah, would love to see a Trotskyist Soviet timeline, would even be willing to collab on one.

Hm. Now that is an interesting idea.

I think Kamenev and Zinoviev would have had the edge over Trotsky though.

fasquardon
 
I think Kamenev and Zinoviev would have had the edge over Trotsky though.[/QUOTE

Kamenev and zinoviev were really undermined by their actions in late 1917 early 1918 in respect to supporting revolution and alliance with the other socialists. Lamented even resigned as head of state and was reduced to the head of Moscow soviet


I think If Both Sverdlov and Lenin die early on Trotsky would definitely be in a better position than these two and subsequent military successes would only strengthen his position.
 
Kamenev and zinoviev were really undermined by their actions in late 1917 early 1918 in respect to supporting revolution and alliance with the other socialists. Lamented even resigned as head of state and was reduced to the head of Moscow soviet


I think If Both Sverdlov and Lenin die early on Trotsky would definitely be in a better position than these two and subsequent military successes would only strengthen his position.

But the Zinoviev-Kamenev team had their hands on more leavers of party power and everyone was concerned about losing their delicate revolution to some Napoleon figure - and Trotsky came a bit too close to looking like Napoleon for many in the party.

fasquardon
 
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