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Escaping from a Siberian penal colony in 1902, Trotsky adopted the name that would become synonymous with revolutionary socialism—Leon Trotsky. He made his way to London where he collaborated with prominent figures in the Russian revolutionary movement, including Vladimir Lenin. The ensuing years saw Trotsky navigating the tumultuous world of early 20th-century socialist politics, where divisions emerged between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. Initially siding with the Mensheviks, he became increasingly disillusioned by their moderate stance and distanced himself from both factions, positioning himself as a non-aligned revolutionary figure.