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In my political ideologies class we have just concluded discussing Marxism. One of the questions on the exam was in effect, "How was Leon Trotsky assassinated?" The correct answer was listed as, "Ice axe." I selected that one, and wrote the correction, "It was an ice pick actually." I was under the impression that Russians sent by Stalin, posed as news men, setup an interview with Trotsky in Mexico City, and one of them put at ice pick through Trosky's ear into his brain.
Our teacher offered extra credit to whoever could produce credible research as to the what really happened. If there are any hatrack comrades who could point me in the right direction, or offer any personal knowledge on the subject I would be greatly appreciative. TIA!
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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No comment on your actual question, but I must say that the exact mechanics of the assassination strikes me as totally irrelevant to the ideology.
Posts: 10645 | Registered: Jul 2004
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quote:Originally posted by King of Men: No comment on your actual question, but I must say that the exact mechanics of the assassination strikes me as totally irrelevant to the ideology.
Couldn't agree more, I did not assemble the test questions, but if this improves my grade in the class I won't quibble about it.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I remember visiting Trotski's home. (Later than the time in question, for those who really care) It was a small museum. The ax was on display, and it was a climbing ax like you might use to climb on ice. Here is a link for the museum link I thought they might have a picure, but no. There is a discription of the weapon, however, as an "alpine climbing ax". Hope that satasfies your teacher.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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Thanks Atemisia, I've been doing some research of my own and I think the ice axe is the correct answer.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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"Although the murder weapon in the assassination of Leon Trotsky was an ice axe, it is often described as an ice pick."
Comes from people who also mislabel a maddock or an adze as a pick. It doesn't help any that even sport catalogs occasionally misdescribe an ice axe as an ice pick.
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