Did Lenin and Trotsky Get Along Before the Revolution?

Friendship assumes frequent contact. Given the nature of their work, that was often difficult for revolutionaries, especially those who were forced to work underground. Were Lenin and Trotsky close allies? Yes, close allies, although they were separated by significant ideological and personal differences. They were not friends, but they worked together briefly in the 1910s. However, as the revolution approached, their relationship became increasingly strained and adversarial.

Cooperation and Competition

Reflecting on their relationship, it is essential to understand that Lenin and Trotsky shared a common goal—toppling the Tsarist regime and establishing a socialist state. However, their methods, beliefs, and individual egos often clashed. Trotsky is known to have remarked that he and Lenin were "separated by distance." Despite this, they were close ideological allies during the early years of the revolution.

Hostility and Accusations

The relationship between Lenin and Trotsky was marked by hostility and accusations. Lenin called Trotsky "Judas," describing him as a "political prostitute." Trotsky, in turn, accused Lenin of being an "autocrat" and a "dictator." These names and accusations were not merely personal insults; they reflected deep ideological divisions and power struggles within the Bolshevik leadership.

After Lenin's demise, Trotsky attempted to portray himself as Lenin's closest ally and greatest student, and later shifted his criticism to Stalin, repeating many of the same allegations he had leveled against Lenin. Despite these shifts, the myth of Trotsky being Lenin's best friend and greatest theorist remains a significant part of Soviet and world history.

Temporal Context and Shifts in Relationship

In the early 1910s, Trotsky referred to Lenin as "Little Judas," although this was a Russian literary reference and not a personal insult. By 1917, Trotsky was not yet a Bolshevik. It was only during the July events that his faction joined Lenin's Bolshevik faction, signaling a significant shift in their political trajectory. At this point, radical Russian socialists were unifying, feeling that they had a chance of winning the revolution.

Formal Differences

It is important to note that Trotsky was not always a Bolshevik. He was initially part of the Menshevik faction of the Social-Democratic Party. Lenin, on the other hand, founded the Bolshevik faction, which was a hardline, communist splinter group from the Mensheviks. This split was not just ideological but also personal, contributing to their often heated relations.

Component of Ideology vs. Personal Friendship

Both Lenin and Trotsky wrote polemics, engaging in ideological debates and disagreements. However, they also respected each other's contributions to the socialist movement, even if they could not agree on every aspect. Their working relationship was characterized by cooperation and competition, with moments of intense rivalry but also periods of mutual respect.

Despite the personal and ideological conflicts, Lenin and Trotsky did not become enemies until the Russian Revolution. Once their factions merged under Lenin's leadership, their shared goal of revolution and victory over the Tsarist regime superseded their personal differences.

Stalin's Invisibility

Another important aspect of their relationship is the role of Stalin. Stalin maintained a relatively low profile during this period and did not attract significant attention until the later years, when his rise to power became more evident. Lenin's death marked a significant shift in the political landscape, and Stalin began to assert his control, leading to his eventual dictatorship.

Historians debate whether Lenin and Trotsky could have established a more stable relationship had they not been so focused on their ideological beliefs and personal ambitions. While they were not friends, they were comrades, and their shared struggles during the tumultuous period before and after the revolution created a legacy that is still debated today.

In conclusion, while Lenin and Trotsky were not friends, their relationship was complex and multifaceted, shaped by ideological differences, personal conflicts, and the shared goal of revolution. Their interactions and accusations provide valuable insights into the early stages of the Russian Revolution and the formation of the Soviet state.