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In 1917, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (alias Lenin) seized Russia's control in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, created the Soviet Union, and ruled it until his death in 1924. Lenin was one of the leading political figures in the 20th century. He was the revolutionary thinker behind the USSR idea (a.k.a. The Great Soviet Union), fought to materialize it, and masterminded the Bolshevik bloody takeover of power in Russia after Russia's withdrawal from World War One. Lenin's reign as the head of the newly created Soviet Union was brief, but his influence stretched throughout the 20th century.

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov was born on 22 April 1870 in Simbirsk on the Volga River into a well-educated family. He excelled at school and chose to pursue law studies and a career. However, while he was at university, Aleksandr Ulyanov was involved with “Narodovoltsy” – a revolutionary terrorist society. In 1891, he was arrested and executed for taking part in an assassination plot against Tsar Alexander III. His brother's execution radicalized Vladimir. He turned his anger towards =the ruling Tsarist regime. His brother's execution, along with his father’s death, marked a turning point in his life and shaped his path in the future.

[[File:Lenin-circa-1887.jpg|thumbnail|150px|left|Vladimir Lenin in 1887]]