The Assassination of Trotsky

About this episode

This episode explores the assassination of Leon Trotsky by Ramón Mercader, a Soviet agent, and the political motivations behind it.

This is the true story of the plot to kill Stalin's greatest enemy. It involves ice axe, a bloody study in Mexico City, and a betrayal years in the making. At its centre is Ramón Mercader, a Soviet-trained agent who infiltrated Leon Trotsky’s inner circle and killed him. But this was more than a simple murder - it was the result of Stalin’s ruthless drive to eliminate all rivals and consolidate power. With us is Josh Ireland, author of "The Death of Trotsky: The True Story of the Plot to Kill Stalin's Greatest Enemy". He explains the shadowy politics of Stalin's Kremlin, and how manipulation and conviction put Mercader on a path to Mexico City... Produced by James Hickmann and McKenna Fernandez, and edited by Matthew Wilson. At its centre is Ramón Mercader, a Soviet-trained agent who infiltrated Leon Trotsky’s inner circle and killed him. But this was more than a simple murder - it was the result of Stalin’s ruthless drive to eliminate all rivals and consolidate power. With us is Josh Ireland, author of "The Death of Trotsky: The True Story of the Plot to Kill Stalin's Greatest Enemy". He explains the shadowy politics of Stalin's Kremlin, and how manipulation and conviction put…

People in this episode

Host: Dan Snow

Guest: Josh Ireland

Topics covered

• assassination
• Stalin
• Trotsky
• Soviet Union
• political intrigue
• betrayal

Keywords

• Trotsky
• assassination
• Stalin
• Mercader
• politics
• Kremlin
• betrayal

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: History Hit

Books & works: The Death of Trotsky: The True Story of the Plot to Kill Stalin's Greatest Enemy

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