Lev Davidovich Trotsky on the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1919–1920

Abstract

The paper aims to reconstruct Lev Davidovich Trotsky’s views on the Polish-Bolshevik War of 1919–1920. It emphasises a merely incidental relation of his theory of permanent revolution with the beginnings, progress and ending of this war. It also indicates the flexibility of Trotsky’s views and attitudes resulting from the changeable fates of the armed conflict. It stresses the practical achievements of this politician within the sphere of the development of the Red Army, as well as his ability to separate political aims from the direct command of the army. It indicates that this war was not, basically, in the political interest of either party to the conflict, and was not beneficial to either of them. Hence Trotsky’s pacifist inclinations to end it. On the part of Poland, this war was not based on ideological or nationalist reasons. It was about realising a certain vision of the borders of the Polish State. On Red Russia’s part, contrary to appearances, it did not result from the assumption of a necessary bringing of the revolution on its bayonets into Western Europe, but it was, to a large extent, of defensive nature.