European Social-Democracy

Abstract

In German Social-Democracy Trotsky discerned the same split between social-imperialists, passive centrists and revolutionary internationalists which characterised his analysis of Russian socialism. The vote of the largest socialist body of its day, the German Social-Democratic Party, for the war credits crushed any hopes that a united Second International would put a rapid halt to imperialist hostilities. For Trotsky, the Second International lay in ruins, and he looked for signs of international solidarity, i.e. a Marxist analysis of the war from socialists of all nationalities. Such unity would provide not only a basis for the rebirth of the International on new and firmer foundations, but also inspiration for revolutionary activists of the Trotsky mould. It is not surprising, therefore, to find Trotsky again and again emphasising the activities and growing influence of the German revolutionary left.