The Spanish Revolution, 1931–1939 (Trotsky book)

[1] Throughout this period, Trotsky asserted there was an urgent need for a mass revolutionary party, sharply criticised the conciliatory actions of the POUM faction such as abandoning the Left Opposition program, the intrigues of the Stalinist Comintern in suppressing the left-wing forces and facilitating the ascent of fascist Spain.

The worker’s soviet is the healthiest, most natural, most open, and most honest form of this alliance for common work.” The first half of the book draws particular attention to the newly focused Spanish section of the International Left Opposition.

[1] A day prior to his assassination, Trotsky had produced an article on August 20 1940 which viewed the role of class, party and leadership calibre as the determinant, factors that inexorably ensured the defeat of the Spanish Republic.

[3] Senett further argued that this volume of Trotsky's writings had received negligible attention from recent biographers such as Robert Service, Geoffrey Swain and Ian Thatcher whilst French Trotskyist historian Pierre Broue has engaged with this specific literature more vigorously.

[3] In contrast, Left Oppositionist and anarchist, Victor Serge, directed criticism at Trotsky’s writings on the Spanish Civil War including his harsh denouncement of the tactical errors of POUM as “treason” and perceived sectarianism.

[7] Comparatively, political scientist James Martin believed that Trotsky's writings exhibited a prescient analysis and a strong accuracy of military affairs which was vindicated by the Spanish Civil War.