"Vladimir Lenin" (1870 – 1924) Leader of Russian Revolution 1917

Vladimir Lenin was a revolutionary and political leader in the early 20th century. He was born in Simbirsk, Russia in 1870 and raised in a middle-class family. He attended school until he was 16 and then began studying law at Kazan University.

At university, he became involved with the revolutionary movement and soon joined the Social Democratic Labour Party. He was exiled to Siberia in 1897 and released three years later. In 1902, Lenin wrote a work called What Is To Be Done? which outlined his vision for a revolutionary Marxist party. In 1905, Lenin organized a massive protest in St. Petersburg that resulted in the overthrow of the Tsar. This event is known as the October Revolution. After the October Revolution, Lenin became the leader of the Soviet Union and implemented sweeping reforms such as the New Economic Policy. Under Lenin’s leadership, the Soviet Union experienced rapid industrialization and modernization. He also used his power to suppress political opponents and dissenters. In 1923, Lenin suffered a stroke and had to take a break from politics. He died in 1924, but his legacy lived on through his writings and speeches. His ideas inspired generations of revolutionaries and leaders around the world.