What was Leon Trotsky's part in the Russian revolution?

The events of 1917, and the years which immediately followed, were a political furnace. Failed parties and leaders melted away as hardened political forces and inspirational leaders were forged in white heat of revolution.

There were huge leaps forward, and crushing setbacks. Through it all, Leon Trotsky was one of the political figures most responsible for helping the workers’ movement to navigate a way forward.

This episode of Socialism looks at 1917 and the young workers’ state: Trotsky during the revolution.

80 years since Trotsky's assassination: Why couldn't his ideas be killed? Join the international online rally on Sunday 23 August, 2pm London time! Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trotsky-murdered-80-years-ago-why-couldnt-his-ideas-be-killed-registration-115866871933

Further reading

February revolution 1917 - what lessons for today?: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/24688/22-02-2017/february-revolution-1917-what-lessons-for-today

July Days 1917: battles with counterrevolution: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/25838/12-07-2017/july-days-1917-battles-with-counterrevolution

Russia, October 1917: When workers took power: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/26314/18-10-2017/russia-october-1917-when-workers-took-power

The History of the Russian Revolution (Trotsky): https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1930/hrr/index.htm

The First Five Years of the Communist International: Volume One (Trotsky): http://leftbooks.co.uk/epages/950002679.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950002679/Products/TROT0091

The First Five Years of the Communist International: Volume Two (Trotsky): http://leftbooks.co.uk/epages/950002679.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950002679/Products/TROT0092

The Class, the Party and the Leadership (Trotsky): http://leftbooks.co.uk/epages/950002679.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=2075641

My Life: An Attempt at an Autobiography (Trotsky): http://leftbooks.co.uk/epages/950002679.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=2017056