|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 16 April 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Leon Trotsky and Winston Churchill : Two giants of the twentieth century by Noel Fernando
Leon Trotsky (LT) and Winston Spencer Churchill (WSC) were undoubtedly two of the leading figures of twentieth century history, literature, statesmanship, war and politics: One was a leader of the British Empire at the height of its power, and later at the beginning of its decline; and the other was a member of triumvirate of Russian leaders (Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin) who made the Russian Revolution of 1917 and were responsible for the collapse of the Russian Empire. They were also bitter antagonists, but had many features of character and attributes in common. They led countries at either end of Europe in war and peace, particularly during the first half of the century. One was the arch-imperialist and the other the inveterate revolutionary. These thoughts were provoked by a perusal of the detailed three-volume biography of LT by Isaac Deutscher. Their lifespan and active participation in events covers the same period of time: WSC (1874-1965);: and LT (1879-1940). History, literature and oratory Both men were believers in the written word and left copious archives consisting of letters, manuscripts, articles and memoranda reflecting their ideas, struggles and wanderings; These are available in libraries and institutions throughout the world; principally at the Houghton Library. Harvard University and the Hoover Library of Stanford, California (LT) and a special section of Churchill College, Cambridge University houses the documents and papers of WSC. They not only made history but recorded it in memorable prose literature. Examples are the autobiography, My Life and History of the Russian Revolution (LT) and the World Crisis (first world war), a six volume History of the Second World War as well as biographies of his father Randolph Churchill and ancestor Marlborough (WSC). These are only a few of their numerous works. Churchill won the Noble Prize for literature in 1953. The two men reflect the same blend of realism and romanticism the same pugnacity and the same inclination to go beyond their class and circle. They display inexhaustible visual memory, the same power of evocation of mood and atmosphere and the same seeming ease in bringing characters to life. Both were natural orators and oratorical style permeates their historical and literary work. Churchill was a master of the set piece and was at his excellent best in the nineteen thirties when he led the world in warning of the danger posed by Hitler and in the laster war; while LT was more spontaneous and audience responsive and glittered in the ferment of events leading to and during the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the later civil war of 1918-1922. Incidentally during the civil war, Churchill inspired the forces of intervention and led the capitalist world in that failed enterprise. Leadership in war and peace
Both LT and WSC were acutely controversial figures: they both attracted intense adulation, support and admiration as well as extensive and extreme antagonism, and no complete assessment of them is possible. WSC is remembered, particularly for his leadership of a coalition (with Roosevelt of the United States and Stalin of the Soviet Union) against Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy and Japan in the World War of 1939-1945. LT dominated events in Russia in 1917 and formed the Red Army during the civil war. He was subsequently outmanoeuvred, defeated and sent into exile, and later killed by an assassin of Stalin in 1940 in Mexico. These few remarks are intended to what the appetite of the reader - a considerable volume of literature is available, relating to both persons in Colombo. (eg. British Council and National Library) I will conclude with a quotation from Spinoza; "Neither weep nor laugh but understand". |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
