Who was Leon Trotsky?Jewish Biography as History Dr. Henry Abramson

Jewish history lecture on Leon Trotsky, important Jewish socialist (1879-1940). Delivered at the Young Israel of Bal Harbour as part of the Jewish Biography as History series, online at www.henryabramson.com.
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[@Miketrt]

Great presentation. I'm Catholic and really like Dr. Abramson's lectures,. To my understanding of things they seem fair and are well thought out.

[@lenny247]

as an anecdote: the time between March and October, Trotsky was in New York for a while, though in writing he described living in worker's quarters during this period, he was living in much better conditions, purportedly bank rolled by JP Morgan no less. On route back to Russia from New York traveling with a group of revolutionaries for what later became the October revolution, he and his group were detained in Halifax NS, Canada for a few days (keep in mind, world war 1 was going on). Canada was on orders from the British, who according to what is known, received pressure from United States government for Trotsky to be allowed passage, which was eventually granted. Trotsky was traveling on a US pass port at this time with $10,000. In regards to the lecture, some important historical details should be mentioned, including some of the atrocities Trotsky was involved with, as leader of Red Army. At bare minimum some words on the Kronstadt sailors and subsequent rebellion would be important to mention. These sailors helped the soviets maintain power early on and then later, after they rebelled, the red army crushed them. The lecture briefly mentions the gulags, the unspeakable horrors that occurred there are partially the fault of those that helped establish the regime, including Trotsky. Also, the red army participated in unspeakable human atrocities, including mass murder with Trotsky as their leader. Jewish people fared much better, but the middle class and bourgeoisie were murdered raped enslaved, not topics that are fun to talk about. Its wrong to ignore the human suffering that directly and indirectly resulted from Trotsky's ideas and deeds.

[@baeticus1]

I accidentally discovered a video of Dr. Henry Abramson last week and I became a loyal client. Portuguese with Jewish ascendancy, remote but more than likely, I was always interested in everything that relates to Jewish History and Culture and the State of Israel. I am grateful to Dr. Henry Abramson for his lectures. It has been, and will continue to be, enlightening and useful. Thank you, Dr. Henry Abramson.

[@davidwarmflash5329]

Fascinating lecture..thanks for posting..When Trotsky made that trip to New York that you mentioned, I am told that he visited my great grandfather's home for dinner.

[@johnnymartinez8162]

1 hour isn't enough I hope you can lecture us for at least 2 hours. Simply amazing mind. Thank you so much I appreciate you're sharing.

[@kevinoneil56]

Brilliant lecture. Only Dr Abramson could get me to sit through an hour on the life of Trotsky. I am particularly indebted to Dr A for learning that there is one other autonomous Jewish region in the world other than Israel, the province called Birobidzhan.

[@selfyeshua]

you didnt mention Trotsky and Frida Kahlo love affair

[@Albertanator]

Trotsky was a brutal man who died a brutal death....he reaped what he sowed!

[@normanrobinson4624]

You always have something new to add to my understanding of history. As an autodidact I appreciate your insight into history. Also it gives me an increased respect for the film Doctor Zhivago:-)

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thank you so much!

[@bingeltube]

Very recommendable! I thought I knew Trotsky's story quite well, but Henry Abramson jam packed this session with so many topics it is incredible. Henry missed to mention the Japanese-Russian war of 1905 which probably contributed to the 1905 revolution. Mennonites in the Ukraine, Jews immigrating to the USSR in in the years following the revolution and so much more ... This is a tour de force again! Thanks Henry Abramson! Stunning!

[@bingeltube]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD hope you appreciated the hint at the Japanese Russian war of 1905. It had profound impacts on both, Japan and Russia plus the rest of the world

[@ideath173]

Your lectures are excellent, and the topics chosen are the essential underpinnings of the broader history. Looking forward to binge watching them all.

[@fwcolb]

Trotsky did not learn what Hillel the Elder taught, “Do not do unto others that which you hate done unto yourself - that is the entire Torah. The rest is commentary, go and study it.” Trotsky might have adopted the alternate version of the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Whether they want you to do so or not, impose your wishes upon them.)

[@ivtch51]

Thx Henry. I always find your talks so informative. I am not Jewish but my great grandfather from Ukraine was. His entire family were slaughtered in 1881 in Elizabethgrad (Kirovograd) from where he was smuggled our to the UK at about 11 yrs old. It is so good to know a little about my Jewish heritage.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you found it useful

[@charlesgeckler3991]

I love your work and lectures; great presentations. I would love f you could include citations or other suggested readings. Thanks again and Happy New Year.

[@SagesseNoir]

Did I hear the speaker claim that Marx founded or invented socialism? If so, isn't he aware that socialism was around in the 1820s and 1830s?

[@dcentral]

Marx and Engels founded Communist socioeconomic theory.

[@SagesseNoir]

dcentral Even some of that derived from predecessors

[@GustavoRodriguez-qr5po]

Marx did not find socialism, he just described what capitalism is, and how a better world could be, it was Lenin that put his theory into practice.

[@jvrerae8512]

Thanks so much for this wonderful lecture, i have a class in college where I have to make an analysis on art and I chose the gulag arcapelago, it's hard and my teacher loves socialism and Marc, it's scarry. This will help.

[@TheWhitehiker]

Great account--humor good as well; thanks much.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Hever73]

Under what circumstances "Protocols of Sion" was created? Thanks

[@kwyzi]

wonderful thanks

[@amixofeverything]

It'd be interesting to hear about Jakub Berman and Hilary Minc.

[@JeffreyPappas786]

As to living descendants, current head of NIDA (which I and many others oppose intellectually) "Dr. Volkow is the great-granddaughter of Russian revolutionary leader and Head of the Fourth International, Leon Trotsky. Her father Esteban Volkov is the son of Leon Trotsky’s elder daughter.[9] Born in Mexico City, Volkow and her three sisters grew up in Coyoacán in the house where Trotsky was killed.[9][24][25] In 2014, Volkow participated in Moth at the World Science Festival, where scientists, writers and artists tell stories of their personal relationships with science. During this time, Volkow discussed her family history, and how it furthered her ambition to pursue science in order to positively influence others..." en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nora_Volkow

[@motorhead6763]

"The German workers revolt" influenced Marx and Engels. This was one of the first uprisings against church and nobility by workers.

[@MalTomlin]

I plan to watch many more; thanks for your hard work and fidelity...

[@chrisarias4055]

I love your jokes Rabbi! I really enjoy how you start off your brilliant lectures with a little joke, makes my day.

[@correosemanal]

Very interesting classes always. But was Trotsky not Lenin the first to propose the NEP,

[@edoedo8686]

Wow...this is so very cool! I love, this!

[@acidpunk7423]

are the lumpen and rebel species inherently different?

[@xdmitryx]

Very interesting lecture on Trotsky! Thanks for what you are doing, especially on Khazaria. It was very informative for me as I have researched this topic by Gumilev's books. Amazed to see that you dig as deep as to Makhno, UNR and Petlura in the Russian Revolution topic as well. I must admit that you were inaccurate about Russia in WW1 though. Russia was quite successful against Austria through the whole war (Brusilov offensive etc). Not so much against Germany, that's true, but not nearly the way you worded it. German front was quite stable till 1917. The whole dissolution of army began since February revolution and so-called "army democratization" by provisional government and Bolshevik propaganda among the troops. The last poster with Trotsky was with Chinese mercenaries shooting Russians if I'm not mistaken, another interesting topic.

[@lovemypiano111]

Reb Abramson. If you need a huge collection of Jewish jokes on ANY SUBJECT, I am always at your service :-). That's what I do.

[@MalTomlin]

The incipient 1950's hair cut made famous by Elvis and the Fonz? On a serious note, great lecture.

[@EastLancsJohn]

Thank you Dr Abramson, I enjoyed this lecture as well as your others on Heine and Disraeli.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Fantastic! More hefty clam shells, for the winkling. 'Living on air'. Bereft of common, Neurosis. my third eldest son Josef is a Mennonite. All those Korean Kung Fu lessons!! Ben is not far behind Him. All those Karate' lessons!! Ive actually learned to admire their forbearance. They dont consider religiosity at all. Yet so loving.

[@c0sselburn]

Marx wasn't anti-Semitic at all. He was an atheist who rejected religion and superstition in all its forms. He was opposed to the Jewish faith but did not hold racist or bigoted views towards Jews.

[@PublickStews]

Agriculture wasn't collectivized until 1928. That never happened during War Communism. Grain was definitely requisitioned during the Civil War and the peasants were sometimes treated badly and violently, but this is a big mistake in the lecture.

[@AvernusSheol]

I am curious. How does the Jewish community feel about Trotsky? Rather what is the majority opinion if you will.

[@AvernusSheol]

I have a lot of questions is there perhaps some place where I can discuss these subjects more efficiently with you?

[@maurizius27]

Yes, Marx created coNmunism with all of its marvels. I'm sure very soon we'll be seeing Hollywood bring forth movies which delve deeply into the fascinating events surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution, its principal characters, and the unprecedented crimes against humanity - just as they did regarding Hitler and WW2, in such prolific fashion: I'm waiting with anticipation for this liberating revelation of truth.

[@maurizius27]

Well Dave, you're overly excited. Rushing off with the immediate insult is the product of an immature mind who just likes to get his way; usually also means you don't have any good arguments to make. You don't know me, if you want to have a conversation be a man and apologize. By the way, for some reason I don't see your comment/reply on that video, why is that ?

[@normalizedinsanity4873]

maurizius27 What would you know about being a man slandering some one without evidence who cannot answer for himself? I used some else's computer that runs script on other pages it appears. I am just so terrified of you. No good argument, you have nothing. Anyway I am making it easy for you. Marx didn't "invent" communism, but whatever, first of all you need to know what it is to ascertain whether or not is was Marxism that was represented in Russia, no? Marx says the communist manifesto can be summed up in one sentence...abolish private property. The previous post is an explanation of Marx's private property. I say it is the cause of all war, poverty and evil on the planet. All you have to do is de bunk it. Couldn't be simpler. The central argument that Marx puts forward as the reason socialism must replace capitalism. Go to it bright boy

[@johnnyscifi]

I thought socialism predated Marx, but not Communism...

[@zenodotusofathens2122]

johnnyscifi the cavemen had it too

[@eugeniasyro7315]

Henry, you are a very charming, intelligent, handsome and sexy man. Would love to come to one of your lectures and learn!!!!

[@jvrerae8512]

4:44

[@yaroslavlyakutya326]

The most interesting history of the Jews, after the Moses history, is the history of Russian Jews and Leon Trotzky is for sure among the top Russian Jews.

[@catmandont100]

"I never met a MAN ( scratch that ) FACE I didn't like" ……..Will Rogers...referring to Trotsky ( not his birth name ) during an interview in New York. As lovely and simple as Will Rogers was, he was GOOD at spotting a SNAKE.

[@ProlTV]

Trotskyism or Leninism?

[@zaymisa]

starlins wife was a jew...??, who was jacob frank..who was sabti svi????????,,,,,,

[@motorhead6763]

True...what is wrong with helping others? America is Socialist...social security compensation in employment medicaid.. Mandatory. People that were against the Wagner Act SSI were the first in line to collect this hand out.שלום

[@motorhead6763]

Look up" German Peasants revolt"...Marx and Engels both inspired by this movement. Concept was and is German in origin. Even today to treat workers fairly...Noblemen such as czars and kings in Russia and Europe under "divine right monarchy" with active collaboration from church officials collected all the wealth and food and privilege...whilst the workers and others languished in poverty and starvation as serfs which had a debtor prison system. A common method employed by these tyrants to quiet the angry masses was to blame the "Jews" and allow pogroms to vent their fury upon us using religious and economic rhetoric which even continues today in many eastern European and Arab countries... If any Jews or Christians helped break up this evil system of perpetual servitude and misery they are hero's... even though communism was corrupted and became even worse later. The initial concept of the German workers revolt survives in socialist countries such as Germany, Sweden and Sweden and even in part in America with labor laws and compensation social security etc. PS Martin Luther s round table discussion with German noblemen calling the people "dogs" and we are like "gods"...clearly indicates both Catholic and Protestant roles in maintaining this evil profitable system which Constantine started. Anabaptists and Jews , refusniks became targets as heretics more for their refusal to willfully obey either church or noblemen's evil system of exploiting workers and suppressing the poor through fear of eternal hell or torture and death. This may be why Lenin and the later Soviets banned all religious institutions since they often undermined absolute control. It seems the American model has worked the best so far "bread and circus" model. Lol. שלום

[@zenodotusofathens2122]

motorhead if you go back to caveman days you can also find socialism.

[@s.kertanguy8433]

You made a mistake , 5 rabbins killed for their blood a priest and his servant in 1840 and were judged guilty in Damas.

[@guystarobinsy6304]

Trozkism

[@CalebMaupinTV]

"Man of Steel" "he read to many Marvel comics"... Your tremendous ignorance goes well beyond politics... Superman was always a DC comics title, not Marvel. Interestingly, it was invented in 1939 by two Jewish comic book artists in Cleveland, OH. The comic always had a left-wing edge. First one involves rescuing striking miners. "Man of Steel" was probably a reference to Stalin, who was well love by Roosevelt supporters and Anti-Fascists during this time period.

[@ColossalCollapse]

he was a jewish born atheist

[@simcha1780]

It is interesting to note the secular accomplishments made by some Jews in the world. Trotsky and Marx, while not religious, shaped the future of the entire world, an accomplishment few could boast. Despite Trotsky's genius and perseverance when it came to his cause, I'm surprised that he was unable to maneuver the political landscape well enough to get elected (or at least not get exiled and assassinated). Based on the ideals of socialism and the behavior that Trotsky and his army showed to the Jews, it is very understandable that the Jews would have sided with his point of view int he thought of self-preservation. In another lecture, I believe you said that before this time period the Jews were not so interested in shaping the political climate around them, so it would make sense that as they are now entering politics, they would pick something that more matching the Kehila of the older times, and someone that would offer equality and protection to them. On a side note, I believe that picture that you showed of Trotsky being depicted as red and sitting on a pile of skulls was attempting to make him out as the devil; that's at least how I interpret it.

[@mitzvahgolem8366]

Lenin s mother not Jewish either. But Elvis Presley mother was. Seriously on algemeiner news.

[@singingtallit583]

Great opening joke.

[@tiniaful]

In all due respect. I think calling Marx and Trotsky Jews is unfair (no disrespect intended), they both where communist and therefor Atheist's. I also believe that the notion of equality presented is miss leading, i believe in his mind Marx was thinking of equity rather than equality. Equality is not equitable.Its to bad that Marx's message is tainted with the label of utopianism, He introduces the class struggle which is the base of most problems our current world is experiencing. Good talk on Trotsky thank you. PS: i believe the word socialism and communism where introduced in the 1820-30's by secrete societies that believed the goals and ideals of the french revolution had failed, Marx joined one of these societies(german speaking one in Paris) called the league of the just.

[@doughboydevito4529]

Sacha Borel When Trotsky and Marx are described as Jews, it is because they are considered ETHNICALLY Jewish, not religiously Jewish. Also, there are religious Communists.

[@tiniaful]

Doughboy Devito very true such as wilhelm weitling who thought communism was true Christianity. Lev may have been Jew but Leon was an atheist

[@tliltictotolotlmacehualli5796]

+Doughboy Devito then they're actually not communists. No true communist is religious.

[@tiniaful]

you sound stupid because you are generalizing to much

[@tiniaful]

Tliltictotolotl Macehualli that is not true your study of communism is very poor, or inexistant because any decently educated man, or even any one who takes 5 min to look at the communist movement knows that marxism is highly scientifically and anti religious but communism in itself isn't its an economical doctrine has nothing to do with religion

[@johnnyscifi]

Proletarians of all countries unite!!

[@mitzvahgolem8366]

Funny how we are blamed for capitalism....then blamed for communism...ignorance should be painful...lol

[@GustavoRodriguez-qr5po]

I never really got that, they say Karl Marx was a jew then Karl Marx was anti-semetic. Like you can't be both a jew and anti-semetic

[@karnevalsjeck1984]

Capitalism and communism are two sides of the same coin. Internationalism.

[@ellisd2u]

You're having a laugh right? You've never heard of self hating Jew?

[@dydhfddtr9003]

mitzvah golem it not jews who are blamed it Zionist

[@RedTango]

No kidding!!!!

[@CalebMaupinTV]

This man has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. He conflates the term "Proletariat" and "Lumpenproletariat" as if they are the same thing. The Peasant revolutionary Narodniks were socialists, but they didn't go around promoting Karl Marx. They hated Karl Marx. The bund were Marxists, but argued that it was necessary for Jews to have a separate political organization. Lenin denounced the Bund, and the folks who celebrated the "Red Passover" honoring Stalin were sympathizers with Communist Party and the Third International, not Bundists, who denounced Lenin and Stalin and became Zionists in the 1920s. -- Stick to lecturing on Zionism, Kibbutzim, and why Jews are inherently superior to all other races. You know nothing about Communism.

[@billzen]

+Caleb Maupin I went back and carefully listen to the segment on proletariat v lumpen-proletariat and do not see the problem. Dr. Abramson is just naming different "classes" and not defining them in detail (the definitions are at best "soft" in any event). This is not a lecture on Marxist Leninist political theory- it is a history lecture centered on Trotsky. I have looked over a few of your you-tubes and do find them interesting and thought provoking.

[@catmandont100]

Stalin = Steel Lenin...……………...............FAIL