Alternate History: What if Stalin Never Came to Power?

The video explores the complex legacy of Joseph Stalin, his rise to power, and the impact of his rule on the USSR. It contrasts Stalin's authoritarian approach with Trotsky's more idealistic vision, imagining an alternate history where Trotsky succeeded Lenin. This scenario examines how global politics and the course of the 20th century might have changed under Trotsky's leadership, highlighting the potential for a more aggressive Soviet foreign policy and different outcomes in World War II.

What was a key characteristic of Stalin's rule in the USSR?

• Economic liberalism

• Fear and ideological control

• Isolationism

• Democratic governance

Where was Joseph Stalin born?

• Moscow, Russia

• Tbilisi, Georgia

• Odessa, Ukraine

• Rural Georgia, Russian Empire

What was Leon Trotsky's stance on communism?

• Communism should be abandoned

• Communism should be a global movement

• Communism should be limited to Russia

• Communism should be a capitalist hybrid

What was Stalin's approach to communism known as?

• Global Communism

• Capitalist Communism

• Democratic Socialism

• Socialism in One Country

How did Trotsky's vision for the Soviet Union differ from Stalin's?

• Trotsky wanted a centralized authoritarian state

• Trotsky aimed for Soviet Democracy with worker councils

• Trotsky wanted to isolate the USSR

• Trotsky supported capitalist reforms

What was a potential consequence of Trotsky's leadership in the USSR?

• A peaceful coexistence with Nazi Germany

• A more aggressive stance against the West

• A focus on internal development only

• Increased isolation from the world

What was a major difference in foreign policy between Stalin and Trotsky?

• Stalin wanted global revolution, Trotsky did not

• Trotsky wanted to fund global socialist uprisings, Stalin did not

• Stalin was more open to Western alliances

• Trotsky focused on internal USSR development

What was a potential military strategy under Trotsky's leadership during WWII?

• Form an alliance with Nazi Germany

• Focus solely on defending the USSR

• Invade Nazi Germany first

• Remain neutral in the conflict

How might the West have reacted to a Trotsky-led USSR during WWII?

• Formed a strong alliance with the USSR

• Ignored the USSR's actions

• Supported the USSR's expansion

• Viewed the USSR as a greater threat than Nazi Germany

What could have been a long-term impact of Trotsky's leadership on global politics?

• The Cold War would have been avoided

• The USSR would have become a capitalist state

• Fascism might have remained a legitimate ideology

• Communism would have been discredited