Vladimir Lenin

It's a Fact 
Leon Trotsky, another giant in the Russian revolution arrived in London in1902 having escaped from exile in Siberia. The first meeting of Lenin and Trotsky who were to figure so prominently in momentous happenings which were to take place in Russia in 1917,took place at an early hour in the morning in Lenin's London home. Trotsky in his book, Lenin, describes the event: '1 arrived in London in the autumn of 1902. It must have been in October, and early in the morning. A cab that I engaged because I saw others doing so took me to an address jotted down on a scrap of paper my destination. This was Vladimir Ilyich's home. Before this (it must have been in Zurich ) I had been taught to knock at a door in a certain definite way. As far as I remember, Nadezhda Konstantinova (Madame Lenin) opened the door for me; I had fetched her out of bed with my knocking, as one can imagine. It was early in the morning, and any sensible man more familiar with the ordinary conventions of life, would have waited an hour or two at the station, instead of knocking at strange doors at dawn. But I was still completely under the influence of my flight from Verchotensk". 


Vladimir Lenin 
``````````(1870 - 1924)
~~~~~~~~~The Man Who Created Communist Russia 

Born: April 22, 1870 Simbirsk, Russian Empire 
Died: January 21, 1924 (aged 53) Gorki, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union 
Nationality: Russian 
Political party: Bolshevik Party 
Spouse: Nadezhda Krupskaya 
Profession: Politician, revolutionary, writer 
Religion: Atheism 

Karl Marx wrote "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital" in thel9th century and influenced communists the world over. According to Marx's view of history, the final stage of capitalism is imperialism. 

Vladimir Lenin was a radical thinker in Russia in the 20th century who believed that Marx's philosophy could be of practical use in his country, "leap forging" some stages in Marx's view of history. In 1917 he revolutionized politics by establishing the first communist state in Russia.

Lenin was born Vladimir Ulayanov at Simbirsk in Russia, which was later renamed Lenin. His father was a school teacher. Revolution was in Lenin's blood of as his elder brother was executed for alledgly participating in an attempt to assassinate the Russian Tsar Alexander III in1887. Lenin later studied law at the University of Kazan and was banished for engaging in revolutionary activities. He later finished his studies independently and briefly worked as a lawyer. Later he gave up his practice, and went fulltime spreading his message of revolution among workers. He was later exiled to Siberia in 1895. 


In his pamphlet, "What is to be done"(1902) Lenin wrote that only a very disciplined party of professional revolutionaries could bring about socialist changes in to Russia. In 1905 revolution broke out Russia, but failed to create a socialist state. 

During World War I Lenin was in Switzerland and was helped by the Germans to get to Russia. By doing so the Germans hoped it could disrupt the Russian war effort. In 1917 the political upheavals in Russia , Lenin captured power and established the first Soviet government according to communist principles. It is notable that by this time Tsar Nicholas II had abdicated. In the power vacuum that was created, Lenin's supporters spread the simple message "Peace, Bread, Land". After assuming power in Russia, Lenin signed a armistice with Germany, as the Germans wanted. 

Lenin later became Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and virtual dictator, where Trotsky, Stalin and Rykov were the other important members. Bolsheviks(the majority), disagreed about the intentions of the revolution with Mensheviks(the minority) and had their ideological differences. Bolsheviks were spearheaded by Lenin.

After assuming power Lenin abolished private ownership of land and also nationalized banks. Lenin at this time was a ruthless leader who refused to compromise with his colleagues. He also established Cheka or secret police that suppressed all forms of opposed to Lenin. By 1922, Lenin had eliminated all opposition to him and silenced all his enemies within the communist party. He also retained the post of Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and was a member of the ruling politburo of the Communist Party until his death. After suffering a stroke in 1922, Lenin left politics. One of the last letters he wrote was a letter condemning Stalin wanting Stalin's removal from the post of General Secretary of the Communist Party. It is claimed by some historians that Stalin did not allow Lenin proper medical care, in order to hasten Lenin's death.

Posted in: Greatest Leaders