Changes

The West was alarmed by these developments and supported a “White Army” to fight Lenin’s “Red Army.”  Civil war resulted in Russia that lasted from 1918 to 1920, killing ten million people during the war, and another five million due a famine that followed the war.  But the Red Army, headed by Leon Trotsky, won.

The West was alarmed by these developments and supported a “White Army” to fight Lenin’s “Red Army.”  Civil war resulted in Russia that lasted from 1918 to 1920, killing ten million people during the war, and another five million due a famine that followed the war.  But the Red Army, headed by Leon Trotsky, won.

Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) had been a participant with Lenin in the communist revolution in Russia in 1917. Trotsky had joined the Bolsheviks and was part of the October Revolution. But when Lenin later died, Trotsky had a power struggle with Joseph Stalin. Trotsky took the view that socialism in the Soviet Union must await a revolution in Western Europe and even worldwide. Stalin wanted power immediately, and expelled Trotsky in 1927 from the political party and then exiled him entirely from Russia in 1929. Trotsky eventually settled in Mexico in 1937, where he was hunted down and murdered by a Stalin assassin posing as a gardener. Whereas the Englishman Captain John Smith famously stated in the early days of the Jamestown settlement, “He that will not work shall not eat,” Trotsky’s famous motto was this: “Those who do not '''''obey''''' do not eat.”  

Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) had been a participant with Lenin in the communist revolution in Russia in 1917. Trotsky had joined the Bolsheviks and was part of the October Revolution. But when Lenin later died, Trotsky had a power struggle with Joseph Stalin. Trotsky took the view that socialism in the Soviet Union must await a revolution in Western Europe and even worldwide. Stalin wanted power immediately, and expelled Trotsky in 1927 from the political party and then exiled him entirely from Russia in 1929. Trotsky eventually settled in Mexico in 1937, where he was hunted down and murdered by a Stalin assassin posing as a gardener. Whereas the Englishman Captain John Smith famously stated in the early days of the Jamestown settlement, “He that will not work shall not eat,” Trotsky’s famous criticism of the communist regime that ultimately developed was this: “Those who do not '''''obey''''' do not eat.”  

Communism and the Russian Civil War from 1818 to 1820 left the country in economic ruin.  In March 1921, Lenin announced his New Economic Policy (NEP) to restore trade and industry to the country.  The NEP permitted some capitalism to create incentives, and it allowed for some foreign investment.  Peasants could sell surplus crops.  Profits by merchants were allowed.  But government still controlled all major industries.  This small amount of private ownership applied only to small factories, farms and stores.  Still, it helped improve the economy by 1928.

Communism and the Russian Civil War from 1818 to 1820 left the country in economic ruin.  In March 1921, Lenin announced his New Economic Policy (NEP) to restore trade and industry to the country.  The NEP permitted some capitalism to create incentives, and it allowed for some foreign investment.  Peasants could sell surplus crops.  Profits by merchants were allowed.  But government still controlled all major industries.  This small amount of private ownership applied only to small factories, farms and stores.  Still, it helped improve the economy by 1928.