Leaders & Politicians · Early 20th Century
Leon Trotsky’s Last Words
“I do not know — I do not think I will survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he attempted unsuccessfully before.”— Leon Trotsky, August 21, 1940
Who Was Leon Trotsky?
Leon Trotsky was a Russian Marxist revolutionary who co-led the October Revolution with Lenin. Exiled by Stalin, he was hunted across the globe before being killed in Mexico.
The Final Moments
Trotsky was attacked in his Mexico City study by Ramón Mercader, a Soviet agent, with an ice axe. He struggled and survived briefly to speak these words to his guards.
Are These Words Verified?
Trotsky's bodyguards reported statements he made after the attack, though exact wording varies across sources. He survived over 24 hours and spoke multiple times before death.
Sources
- firsthand Joseph Hansen bodyguard account
- other Hospital medical records
- biography Isaac Deutscher biography The Prophet Outcast
Legacy
Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution and his organizational genius in creating the Red Army shaped the Soviet state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Leon Trotsky’s last words?
“I do not know — I do not think I will survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he attempted unsuccessfully before.”
How did Leon Trotsky die?
Leon Trotsky died on August 21, 1940 at the age of 60. Cause of death: Assassination — ice axe to the skull.
Were Leon Trotsky’s last words documented?
Trotsky's bodyguards reported statements he made after the attack, though exact wording varies across sources. He survived over 24 hours and spoke multiple times before death.
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