WI: Trotsky fakes death in '40, comes out of hiding 1954?

[Curiousone]

Fairly simple premise.

Trotsky casts an eye over his situation in Mexico, sees how the constant assassination attempts are merely harming his relatives & followers, feels that it's only prolonging the inevitable with Stalins power & his own seemingly ill health.

He decides to try and enjoy what time he has left, manages to fake his death in a convincing manner. Otherwise 1940-54 go nearly precisely as OTL.

Under the relief of living as a 'different man' & not having Stalin constantly after him, his blood pressure drops, his health improves. 1953 rolls around, Stalin dies of a stroke.

For a time he simply watches events in the news. Sees Beria has disappeared etc. The possibility of reforming Communism seems possible for the first time in a long time for him. Probably the last best chance for any meaningful involvement (at age 74) that he'll get.

Over a few months he contacts some of the few survivors of his 1940's days, convinces them of his identity, re-trains for the stress of ideological debate.

Early in the day on May the 1st, 1954 he makes his comeback announcement.
(I took a quick search of threads under Trotsky, doesn't seem to be much like this one).

 

[alpha]

Would make an interesting timeline and also this would probably be one of the top 5 events of the 20th century.

Imagine the headlines Trotsky is back!!!.

Although i doubt he would have any power in the USSR.

 

[Lapsed Pacifist]

I'd love to see what happens, but Stalin's paranoia would probably mean he would send his men to look for Trotsky and check if he really is dead.

 

[Curiousone]

I'd love to see what happens, but Stalin's paranoia would probably mean he would send his men to look for Trotsky and check if he really is dead.

Yeah, admittedly it'd have to be something where 'Trotskys body was utterly destroyed'. Flaming automobile wreck that would have reduced the occupants to ash. Boat trip out into a storm. Plane crash in the mountains.