Leon+Trotsky+case+study

= LEON TROTSKY: CASE STUDY =

Trotsky at the head of the Red Army in 1918

Topics

 * family background and education
 * development of his political ideals
 * his emerging political role, 1905-1917
 * his role in the November Revolution
 * his role as Commissar for Foreign Affairs
 * his role as Commissar for War
 * the power struggle following Lenin's death
 * his life and activities in exile
 * an evaluation of Trotsky's career

Exam questions
In this part of the HSC exam, you will be asked to write two short essays about Leon Trotsky.
 * The first will cover the key aspects of Trotsky's life. It is worth 10 marks.
 * The second will ask you to evaluate Trotsky as a figure in Russian history. It is worth 15 marks.

Documents

 * Trotsky's description of Stalin in his book //My Life//: [[file:bankstowntafehsc/Trotsky on Stalin.docx|Trotsky on Stalin.docx]]
 * Trotsky's autobiography, [|My Life]

Handouts
1. Differing views of Leon Trotsky:

2. A list of exam questions that could be asked on Trotsky can be accessed by clicking on. There are essay plans and model essays on many of these questions in the sections below, Introductions to these essays can be accessed by clicking on. These introductions are different from the ones in the essays below.

Essay plans
1. "Those who are inspired by an ideal rather than self-interest make the biggest impact on history." Tto what extent does the study of Leon Trotsky support this view? [|Trotsky 2 - essay plan.doc]

2. "Evaluate Trotsky's role as a key figure in the communist moveent. Was the primarily a practical revolutionary or a naive idealist?

3. "Those who have had the greatest impact on history are remembered as much for their faults as their virtues." To what extent does the study of Leon Trotsky support this view?

4. To what extent does history present us with a balanced interpretation of Leon Trotsky?

Model essays
1. Model essays covering the key events in Trotsky's life:

2. "Those who are inspired by an ideal rather than self-interest make the biggest impact on history." Tto what extent does the study of Leon Trotsky support this view? [|Trotsky 2 - essay.doc]

3. "Evaluate Trotsky's role as a key figure in the communist moveent. Was the primarily a practical revolutionary or a naive idealist?

4. "Those who have had the greatest impact on history are remembered as much for their faults as their virtues." To what extent does the study of Leon Trotsky support this view?

5. To what extent does history present us with a balanced interpretation of Leon Trotsky? .

6. "History is about winners." How accurate is this statement in relation to Leon Trotsky?

7. "Events shape people more than people shape events." How accurate is this question in relation to Leon Trotsky?

8. Assess the contribution of Leon Trotsky to the history of Russia at the time.

9. "Individuals are products of their time." How accurate is this statement in relation to Leon Trotsky?