Assess/Evaluate ONE major contribution/significance of the personality you have studied to their period of national OR international history (make a clear choice and choose relevant historical content to demonstrate/support choice)
2 minutes.
In addressing this, you should consider Trotsky’s significance in contributing to continuity and/or change during the twentieth century (Russia/Soviet Union’s national history or international history)
You may refer to 2 of the following:
Significance in contributing to a specific change and continuity
Victory and consolidation of Bolshevik power
Defeat of Civil War and foreign intervention
World/Permanent Revolution
Life and activities in exile
Can someone help me understand what they are asking? Because I have no idea what to research or write for this last part of my assignment.
Heya! So is this the final part of the assessment task? I think what they are asking you to do is to choose a major contribution of Trotsky to either national or international history (national is probably the easiest to argue). When it says you should consider Trotsky's significance to continuity and change, I think what they are asking you to consider is to what extent his actions resulted in either drastic change for Russian society, or continuity/consolidation of changes that had already been made.
In terms of the things that you can refer to I think that;
- 'Significance in contributing to a specific change and continuity' - is probably asking you to look at the dot points under the 4th syllabus heading (4. Evalution), pick on and assess how Trotsky contributed to change and continuity within that. So for example, how did his role as Commissar of Foreign Affairs contribute? How did his actions during the Power Struggle contribute? etc. etc.
- 'Victory and Consolidation of Bolshevik Power' - how did Trotsky actively aid in the Victory and Consolidation of the Bolsheviks? You'd probs want to look at 1917 Revolution and the Civil War in particular
- Defeat of the Civil War and Foreign Intervention - This is weirdly worded, cos it sounds like they are saying that the Red Army were defeated - which they defs weren't... because of Trotsky
The Foreign Intervention stuff would be important if you are thinking of taking the "international history" approach.
- World/Permanent Revolution: This would be an really interesting one - if you are confident in your theoretical knowledge on Permanent Revolution I defs recommend you pick this one, because it can look super sophisticated in a response! Basically how did Trotsky's theory of Permanent Revolution have international or national implications? You'd want to look at his early writings in exile and probs his role as Commissar of Foreign Affairs and the power struggle for this. As Permanent Revolution was the official Bolshevik Party policy t'is very important
- 'Life and Activities in Exile' - Probs more important for "international history."
Soooooo if I were to argue this, I would probably argue that one major contribution of Trotsky to national history was his theory of Permanent Revolution, then link this to "Victory and consolidation of Bolshevik Power" and "World/Permanent Revolution," arguing that though ideology was highly significant, it was Trotsky's ability to keenly maneuver through ideology and pragmatism that he was able to ensure success and significance (hope that makes sense! If you're confused let me know, cos I'm not sure how well I explained this haha).
‘Every Day I Spend 14 Hours Arguing With Liam About Whether Trotsky Had It Coming’: 5 Questions With Harry StylesFor you and anyone else anyone currently fretting over how they're going to answer the Personality Study Part B for Trotsky, might be comforting to know that at least you and
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