Leon Trotsky: Greetings to the German Bolshevik-Leninists

February 2, 1933

[Writing of Leon Trotsky, Vol. 13. Supplement (1929-1933), New York 1979, p. 186 f.]

Number 4 of Die Permanente Revolution, which we just received, proves that the German Left Opposition passed very successfully the test that was inflicted on them by the plot between a small clique of capitulators, confusionists, careerists, and the Stalinist bureaucracy. What is even more heartening is the firmness and resolution with which the local organizations broke from the capitulators, without hesitating, with a really remarkable unanimity, even though they included some pretty influential old Oppositionists. Now it is clear to everyone that the German Bolshevik-Leninists have serious, reliable, and independent proletarian cadres. We may say, without overstating: the conspirators-capitulationists rendered a great service to the Left Opposition, not only because they freed it from themselves, but because they helped it to better test its ranks, to tie them more firmly, and to raise their opinion of themselves. It is a very important condition for future successes!

In terms of its political-moral content, the spurious number of Permanente Revolution, published by an agency of Stalin with the technical help of the capitulators, cannot be distinguished from the phony “Zinoviev letter,” which was put into circulation at one time by the British Conservatives. Rote Fahne’s too zealous cries of victory, picked up by the unfortunate SAZ, uncover more clearly the fear that the Left Opposition’s tireless criticism prompts in the Stalinists.

After stepping over some political corpses, the German Bolshevik-Leninists will go forward with self-confidence.

Warm revolutionary greetings.

L. Trotsky, N.I. Sedova, O. Schüssler, J. Walter [van Heijenoort], P. Frank