Vladimir Lenin
Lenin was a powerful and influential individual that had a huge impact on Russia during the Russian revolution. His ideas were spread widely and appreciated by many individuals in Russia at the time. Lenin was raised in a well-educated family and school was made vital to his upbringing. Through his childhood he was faced with the hardships of his dad almost losing his job due to the government opposing public school systems. Lenin’s and his family disapproved the Russian government while Lenin was just a child. He was brought up recognizing the unjust ways of the government, and this played a major role on his views later in life. Lenin’s older brother, Aleksandr was also part of a group that set out to assassinate Emperor Alexander III and his brother was caught and arrested. Lenin’s brother was not the only one to have opposing feelings to the Russian government. All of Lenin’s siblings will at some point become involved in revolutionary events. At this point, Lenin was interested in literature. He began to study the works of Karl Marx and induced himself in Marx’s views and ideas. Lenin was intrigued in revolutionary politics and this became his major interest. He grouped together as a unifying force with other Marxists who followed ideas of Karl Marx. Lenin and the Marxists increased their involvement in revolutionary activity and opposition to the Russian government. They were ready and willing to overrun the inappropriate and unfair mistreatment of the government. During Lenin’s rise to power, Russia fought Japan in WWI and faced a number of defeats. This had an immense impact on the Russian people and made them feel a need for change. They were aggravated with the fact that their country did not win the battles with Japan and blamed the government for their defeats. From this, Lenin’s power grew and a search for reform was initiated. Heightened feelings overcame the Russian people. A group of workers instigated a killing of Nicholas II. In response to this Nicholas II created the Duma, which was an elected legislative assembly. However, Lenin was still not happy and still repelled against the Russian government. By leading many revolts to end WWI in Russia, Lenin was exiled to Switzerland. This was during the war with Germany. While Lenin is in Switzerland, he makes an agreement with the Germans to smuggle him into Russia to cause internal conflict and cause an inability for Russia to fight. Lenin also agrees with Germany on the Treaty of Brest Litovsk to suppress the war. From this treaty, Germany gained territory from Russia, and Germany and Russia agreed to stop fighting. When Lenin returned he founded a newly created Provisional government that he did not accept. He attacked the Provisional government and demanded a Soviet government run by workers, peasants, and soldiers. This was able to gain Lenin much support because he appealed to the majority of the people in Russian society. Lenin was fed up with the new government and in short time launched a revolution known as the October revolution. Groups known as the Reds, and the Whites, were formed. The Reds were Lenin supporters and the Whites were anti-Lenin activists. Conflict erupted between these groups and a long civil war was started. Determined to rise to power, Lenin began a brutal campaign called the Red Terror to eliminate any individual who opposed his ideas of revolution and targeted the Whites. By the time Lenin defeated the whites, Russia was in shambles and the country was discontent with their mistreatment and brutal lifestyles. Faced with numerous problems, Lenin was forced to resign from his Marxist ideas and initiated a new economic policy. He instigated trade with capitalist countries, he allowed for some people to own their independent companies and allowed for peasants to sell their produce in the open market. This pleased the peasants and people appreciated his minor changes. However, he was not giving up his Marxist ways and continued to promote a Marxist Russia. Until his death, Lenin proceeded in communist ideas. Lenin left a mark in history and had an immense impact on the individuals in Russia. Although not everyone was pleased by Lenin’s ideas, he showed Russia a new form of government that became widely used and appreciated by the world.