Vladimir Lenin: The Bolshevik Revolution

“Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners” (Lenin). Lenin was founder of the Russian Communist Party, leader of the Bolshevik Revolution, and architect and first head of the Soviet state. He was also the inspiration for ‘Leninism” which was conjoined with Marx's work to create Marxism-Leninism. He has been regarded as one of the greatest revolutionary leaders and thinkers since Marx. Vladimir Lenin was an important Russian leader that helped shape Russian society to what it is now.

Lenin defined his movement by the slogan “all power to the soviets” Lenin believed he could make a new revolution in a way the old one happened by starting large street demonstrations. The soviets were giving lenin little support, but lenin believed he could manipulate them for his own purposes. Lenin tried to sieve power for the bolsheviks

The concoction of communist regime caused paranoia within the people which lead to riots. The history of the Soviet Union greatly contributed to this unjustified fear. During the nineteenth century, Karl Marx, a revolutionary socialist, wrote the “Communist Manifesto” which presented the idea of Communism. In this political ideal, property is publicly owned and workers are paid to extent of their abilities and needs. Nowhere does the theory state dictatorship or any type of totalitarian government. This revolutionary speculation remains as Russia’s greatest achievements in history and unforgotten. However when Vladimir Lenin took control of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1917,

Trotsky’s overall role in the Soviet Union is indisputable as his strategic leadership skills enabled him to play a fundamental role in the organisation and implementation of the November 1917 Bolshevik seizure of power and the Civil War of 1918-21. However, the importance of Lenin’s role must also be taken into account to achieve a more balanced portrayal, as many of Trotsky’s successes were based on Lenin’s initiatives. Although Lenin held authority over the Bolshevik’s, it

Lenin grew up in a middle class family but was never fond of the political party and the class system. Having a Marxist political belief system, Lenin wanted the government to own and control everything. After taking control of the Soviet Union, Lenin wanted supreme power for himself and the government, with hopes to make all of the citizens’ equal. Throughout his reign, the Soviet Union was crowded with war, disease, and destruction. His idea of a perfect communist society was anything but

Leon Trotsky (1879-1940) was a Russian Marxist politician and revolutionary in the early 20th century. His contribution to Soviet Russia was immense through his practice of Marxist and Trotskyist theory for Russia and the world. His rise to prominence in the Soviet Union was characterized by his work and partnership with Lenin. Trotsky’s most significant accomplishments included his leadership of the Red Army and success in the February Revolution, which consolidated Bolshevik power. Trotsky’s ‘talent’ and ability’ was undoubted, however, it was insufficient to attain leadership of the Soviet Union. Following the death of Lenin, Lenin’s Testament confirmed Trotsky as the rightful successor, although his power struggle with Stalin resulted

Weak and unstable in its revolution and a battle on the Eastern Front, Communism weeded its way into Russia and changed the lives of millions of people. Under the influence of Lenin and his principles events such as the Red Terror, overall famine, and slave labor camps became the country’s reality. Russia participation in the war may have been stopped, but the consequences were much greater. However, this could have never happened without Germany’s interference in the February Revolution of Russia, helping Vladimir Lenin return to Russia with his Marxist ideals and push the provisional government out of office. The effects Communism had on

The Russian Revolution of 1917 set the country on a course that few other countries took in the 20th century. The shift from the direction of a democratic, parliamentary-style government to a one party communist rule was a drastic change that many did not and could not predict. Looking back on this key moment in Russian history, many historians ask the question ‘why did the political power in Russia shift to the Bolsheviks’? Since the revolution in 1905 Russia was becoming progressively more democratic, distributing power throughout the political sphere. This came to an abrupt halt when Vladimir Lenin was put into power by the Bolshevik takeover of the Provisional Government. Many authors have had different takes on this event. Two particularly interesting ones were Arthur Mendel and John D. Basil. Their pieces On Interpreting the Fate of Imperial Russia and Russia and the Bolshevik Revolution give various perspectives on the Russian Revolution and attempt to answer the question of the power shift. This key point in Russia’s history sets the tone for the next 100 years. Russia became a superpower, an enemy of the United States, started multiple wars directly and indirectly, and started using an economic system used by various countries around the world. Today we still see the effects of the 1917 Revolution. Looking at both Mendel’s and Basil’s attempt to answer why the power shifted to the Bolsheviks. Since both historian 's account of the events is different they cannot

After hearing about the recent coup, throwing out the czar, Lenin came back to Russia from his exiled in Switzerland. Using his charisma and status, he helped kick start another revolution which knocked out the makeshift democracy. This made a place for the Bolsheviks (communists) to place themselves in a position of power in the government. (Rashid, Aatif). Lenin came to be an influential person in the Bolshevik party and used Karl Marx’s ideas to make Communism in Russia blossom. Two major things he did were make private industry and agriculture public and redistributed the land of wealthy proprietors to peasants. This went well for a few years, until the Russian Civil War ended in 1920. While they came out victorious, Russia was left in disaster. The economic productivity was insufficient and the people were starving and unhappy. Because of this, Lenin was desperate for a new change to benefit the people, so he announced the New Economic Policy. The state took control of large industries again, but people were encouraged to have private and individual businesses. Soon after this was out in place, another major change was about to occur in the Russian government. This occurred after Lenin died in 1924. Joseph Stalin took over his place and became the leader of the Communist Party. He began intimidating and doubting his rivals while also claiming to see spies everywhere. He cleared the party and general population of Russia or these so called “spies.” By executing or exiling rebels to Siberia, he struck fear into those who remained after his purging. Everyone lived in fear of Stalin’s secret police and he ruled over Russia with an iron fist from that point on until his death (Dagger,

Without Lenin the Communist party may not have taken over Russia and history may have been very different and very likely more complacent. Lenin among others helped to shape the 20th century and what followed. He was a major part of history despite the idealistic long-term intentions of Lenin. Therefore, understanding Lenin is essential, for understanding historic processes and the role of political leaders in them. His ideology and his political conduct were driven by his political theories which he tried to pitch to the people and the Russian intelligence in particular. Lenin theorized that if he could not rule with the people’s love and approval he would persuade them to accept his rule through fear. A Real-politician in his willingness

Some may think Marxism and Leninism go hand and hand but they are from similar to one another. It is the contrast between these two political theories that sever the bridge between theory and practice. Vladimir Lenin’s view upon Communism far differed from that of the theorist Karl Marx which leaves us to question as to how could one deem the two interchangeable? How could Lenin proclaim to be a Communist with that completely alter what Marx and Engels provicized to be their view of Communism within the “Communist Manifesto”? Why would people confuse a seemingly democratic view with State Capitalism? The answer to these questions is a simple one for it is all based about lack of one’s interpretation which in turn led to such a conflict of ideals. The misinterpretation in this theory and practice hones it on the misinterpreting of the duties of the Central Government. Misinterpretation is an issue that has troubled the world for centuries upon centuries because interpretations of theories and even other forms of writing has always been based upon the instilled by the interpreter not the creator which seemingly cause conflict.

As Lenin was forced to live in Switzerland, He had time on his hands to think about and grow his belief on the communist theory. After reading the Marx, Lenin’s mind was all over the place thinking about the Communist ideology, Lenin’s thoughts about the ideology was that the workers and peasants of Russia would never be ready to start a revolution. In one of Lenin’s writtens he described the Russian workers as “reactionary” (which means the opposite of revolutionary).

Lenin lead the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution of 1917, which in turn overthrew the long traditions tsarist Government and established a Bolshevik administration in place of it, which lead to the creation of the communist state of Russia.

Vladimir Lenin Led what was known as the October revolution, and, therefore, is worthy of study. Vladimir Lenin was viewed as “ the greatest revolutionary leader and thinker since Marx.” Link*. Lenin helped form new economic views for Russia, even though there were some who did not agree with him, those who did however, joined him in the revolt. Lenin's views were influenced by several different things, including, “the execution of his elder brother, a member of a revolutionary group.” Link* . Vladimir Lenin was exposed to radical thinking while he was at university, and was later expelled due to his views. Also due to his political views he was arrested and exiled from St. Petersburg to Serbia. Given these points, Vladimir lenin is worthy

Many historians agree that Vladimir Lenin was one of the most motivating revolutionaries in the history of the world. Once Lenin became a statesman he lost focus on how to run a country, and he lacked a plan. Lenin’s greatest achievements were in fact during the struggle for power in Russia, and not during his time as leader of the USSR. His leadership in the revolutionary Bolshevik party served as an important model for later revolutionary leaders of the 20th century. Lenin’s works made important contributions to the development of revolutionary socialist theory.