Trotskyism Facts for Kids

Trotskyism is a way of thinking about Communism. It is based on the ideas of Leon Trotsky. Trotsky said he was an "orthodox Marxist". This means he followed the original ideas of Karl Marx very closely.

Trotsky's ideas were different from other communists like Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin. A main difference was Trotsky's idea of a "permanent revolution". This meant that a workers' revolution should spread to countries all over the world. It should happen even in places where capitalism was not fully developed. Trotsky believed this global revolution was needed to finish tasks that earlier revolutions had started.

This was different from Stalinist ideas. Stalin believed in protecting a revolution within one country. Trotsky also wanted a government that was less strict. He supported more democracy for people.

Today, some of the biggest groups that follow Trotsky's ideas are the Reunified Fourth International, the International Socialist Tendency, the International Communist League, and the Committee for a Workers' International.

Who Was Leon Trotsky?
What is Permanent Revolution?
Trotskyism vs. Stalinism
Where is Trotskyism Today?
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Who Was Leon Trotsky?

Leon Trotsky was an important leader in the Russian Revolution. He helped lead the Bolsheviks to power in 1917. After the revolution, he was a key figure in the new Soviet government. He was a brilliant speaker and writer.

Trotsky believed that the revolution in Russia could not survive alone. He thought it needed revolutions to happen in other countries too. This idea led to his concept of "permanent revolution."

What is Permanent Revolution?

The idea of "permanent revolution" is central to Trotskyism. It means that the working class (the "proletariat") must keep fighting. They should not stop after one revolution. Instead, they should push for revolutions in other countries.

Trotsky believed that capitalism would always try to stop a single country's revolution. So, for communism to truly succeed, it had to be a worldwide movement. This global spread would help protect and strengthen the revolution everywhere.

Trotskyism vs. Stalinism

The biggest disagreement between Trotsky and Stalin was about how to build communism.

Socialism in One Country

Joseph Stalin believed in "socialism in one country." This meant focusing on building a strong communist society only in the Soviet Union. Stalin thought the Soviet Union should become powerful first. Then, it could help other countries later.

Global Revolution

Trotsky strongly disagreed with Stalin. He argued that trying to build communism in just one country would fail. He believed it would lead to a dictatorship and not true communism. Trotsky thought that a global revolution was the only way to achieve real socialism.

Democracy and Control

Trotsky also wanted more democracy within the communist party and the government. He was against the strict, one-person rule that developed under Stalin. Trotsky believed that workers should have more control. He wanted less power for a small group of leaders.

Where is Trotskyism Today?

Even though Leon Trotsky was exiled and later killed, his ideas continued. Many groups around the world still follow his teachings. They work to spread his vision of a global, democratic socialist revolution.

These groups often focus on workers' rights. They also fight against unfairness and for more democracy. They believe that capitalism creates many problems. They think a worldwide workers' movement can solve these problems.