Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin)
- Born:
- April 22, 1870, Simbirsk, Russian Empire
- Died:
- January 21, 1924, Gorki Leninskiye, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
- Nationality:
- Russian
- Profession(s):
- Revolutionary, Politician, Political Theorist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a middle-class family.
- His older brother, Aleksandr, was executed for plotting to assassinate Tsar Alexander III. This event profoundly impacted Lenin.
- Studied law at Kazan University but was expelled for involvement in student protests.
- Later completed his law degree as an external student at Saint Petersburg University.
Career and Major Achievements
- Became a leading figure in the Russian revolutionary movement.
- Developed and promoted Marxism, adapting it to Russian conditions (Leninism).
- Led the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.
- Played a key role in the October Revolution of 1917, which overthrew the Provisional Government.
- Became the first head of the Soviet state, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).
- Established a one-party socialist state under the control of the Communist Party.
- Implemented the New Economic Policy (NEP) as a temporary retreat from full-scale socialist policies.
- Established the Comintern (Communist International) to promote worldwide communist revolution.
Legacy and Impact
Lenin's legacy is complex and contested. He is remembered as a revolutionary leader who brought about significant social and political changes in Russia. However, he is also criticized for his authoritarian rule and the violence associated with the establishment of the Soviet regime. Understanding materials like a 'lenin mini biography worksheet' can provide students with a simplified overview of his life and impact.
Notable Works
- What Is To Be Done? (1902)
- Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism (1916)
- The State and Revolution (1917)
- Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder (1920)