>>508945253You’re right to question that—Lenin did have serious concerns about both Stalin and Trotsky, especially toward the end of his life.
Here’s the nuance:
• Lenin initially trusted Trotsky, especially for his role in leading the Red Army during the Civil War. Trotsky was seen as brilliant, if arrogant.
• But by 1922, Lenin grew wary of Stalin’s rudeness and power-hungry behavior, particularly after Stalin mistreated Lenin’s wife during an argument. Lenin even wrote in his Testament that Stalin should be removed from his post as General Secretary.
• As for Trotsky, Lenin had ideological disagreements with him (especially on issues like party centralism), but he still saw Trotsky as a capable leader—possibly a successor.
• After Lenin’s death in 1924, Stalin suppressed the Testament and manipulated alliances to isolate Trotsky from the party, eventually exiling him and labeling him a traitor.
So yes, Lenin did get frustrated with Trotsky’s tendencies—but he was even more alarmed by Stalin, which makes the eventual outcome all the more ironic (and tragic).