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[[File:683px-Lenin.jpg|thumbnail|200px250px|left|Vladimir Lenin]]Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (later known as Lenin as he solely nicknamed himself) 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 World War One. Although Lenin's reign as the head of the newly created Soviet Union was extraordinarily, his influence stretched throughout the 20th century.

====Lenin’s Early Life====In 1917, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov was born on 22 April 1870 (alias Lenin) seized Russia's control in Simbirsk on the Volga River into a well-educated family. He excelled at school and chose to pursue law studies and career. Howeveraftermath of the Russian Revolution, while he was at university his brother, Aleksandr Ulyanovcreated the Soviet Union, was involved with “Narodovoltsy” – a revolutionary terrorist society and 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 ruled it until 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-18871924.jpg|thumbnail|150px|left|Vladimir Lenin in 1887]] Soon after his brother execution, Lenin was expelled from one of the university for his active participation leading political figures in student protests against the Tsarist regime20th century. He was forced to continue his law studies as an external student at Stthe revolutionary thinker behind the USSR idea (a. Petersburg Universityk. Around this time he also became passionately interested in Karl Marx’s worksa. He joined Marxists groups when he was 21 The Great Soviet Union), fought to materialize it, and masterminded the Bolshevik bloody takeover of power in essence became a professional revolutionaryRussia after Russia's withdrawal from World War One. Lenin became involved with various Marxist societies and radical groups and published 's reign as the head of the newly created Soviet Union was brief, but his writings on politics and Marxisminfluence stretched throughout the 20th century.

Almost all of his writing ==How did Lenin become a Marxist?==Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov was immediately banned and restricted by born on 22 April 1870 in Simbirsk on the Tsarist regimeVolga River into a well-educated family. The only way He excelled at school and chose to get pursue law studies and a hold of his writings career. However, while he was at university, Aleksandr Ulyanov was to pass them by hand from person to personinvolved with “Narodovoltsy” – a revolutionary terrorist society. His writings quickly caught the eye of other Russian radicalsIn 1891, and he was declared arrested and executed for taking part in an “enemy of the state” by the Russian policeassassination plot against Tsar Alexander III. Tsarists police arrested him in StHis brother's execution radicalized Vladimir. Petersburg and imprisoned for a year for seditionHe turned his anger towards =the ruling Tsarist regime. After His brother's execution, along with his releasefather’s death, he was again arrested marked a turning point in 1897 for his radical views life and ideas and sent to exile shaped his path in Siberia for three yearsthe future.[[File:Lenin-circa-1887. jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Vladimir Lenin in 1887]] Soon after his brother's execution, Lenin and family were sent was expelled from the university to Siberia where he lived participate in Shushenskoyestudent protests against the Tsarist regime. During He was forced to continue his Siberian exilelaw studies as an external student at St. Petersburg University. Around this time, Vladimir adopted the famous moniker “Leninhe also became passionately interested in Karl Marx’s works.” While He joined Marxist groups when he was 21 and, in Siberiaessence, became a professional revolutionary. Lenin regularly wrote became involved with various Marxist societies and radical groups and published his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya. His exile did little to damper his revolutionary zealwritings on politics and Marxism.

====Almost all of his writing was immediately banned and restricted by the Tsarist regime. The only way to get a hold of his writings was to pass them by hand from person to person. His writings quickly caught the eye of other Russian radicals, and he was declared an “enemy of the state” by the Russian police. Tsarists police arrested him in St. Petersburg and imprisoned him for a year for sedition. After his release, he was again arrested in 1897 for his radical views and ideas and sent to exile in Siberia for three years. Lenin - and their family were sent to Siberia, where he lived in Shushenskoye. During his Siberian exile, Vladimir adopted the Young Revolutionaryfamous moniker “Lenin.” While in Siberia, Lenin regularly wrote with his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya. His exile did little to damper his revolutionary zeal. ==Why did Lenin leave Russia?==

Away from Russia[[File:Vladimir_Lenin_plays_chess_with_Alexander_Bogdanov_during_a_visit_to_Maxim_Gorky_(April_, he continued to publish and won more followers on his side. He published his newspaper “Iskra” 10_(“Spark”23) in Munich with the motto “From Spark to Flame!” Aided by foreign funds_-_April, _17_(30)_1908).jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Vladimir Lenin actively challenged established the doctrine, policy, and institution of the ruling Tsarist regimes.plays chess with Alexander Bogdanov in 1908]]

====World War I Fatigue====In 1917, exhausted by World War One, Tsarist Russia was a wreckHis teachings attracted more and more passionate followers. It was the perfect chaos moment for Lenin to return home. GermanyUnsurprisingly, to destabilize Russia, helped send Lenin back to Russia. They hoped Lenin would undermine his writing unpopular with the Russian war effortsauthorities. Instead Vladimir argued in favor of arrested and exiled againtotal state ownership of all property, abolishing Tsarists privileges, equal rights for all, Lenin was warmly welcomed home and supported by other radical thinkers such as Leon Trotskyeliminating unemployment. He quickly became the leader of the Marxist movement and led As the Bolsheviks in the bloodytension grew, violent Red October Revolution. Lenin, much decided to his surprise, effectively ended leave the Russian Empire rather easily country for security reasons and established the Soviet state. The Tsar had become incredibly unpopular and were willing move to embrace Lenin's revolutionWestern Europe. [[File:Russian_prisoners_tannenberg.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|Russian prisoners after the disastrous defeat at He spent there most of the Battle of Tannenberg subsequent 15 in 1914]]In the following three years of civil warself-imposed exile. After his move to Eastern Europe, the Bolsheviks successfully assumed total control he became a prominent member of Russia. Lenin acted as the first head of this new socialistic regime and was the architect of the USSR itself. Lenin also commanded and led the famous Red Army - established immediately after the 1917 October Revolution. <ref>A.k.ainternational revolutionary movement. Red October or Bolshevik Revolution </ref>

Lenin proved decisive Away from Russia, he continued to publish and ruthless from the very beginningwon more followers on his side. He neglected published his fellow countrymen sufferings because he was focused on crushing any internal opposition or riots. The Red Army or as it was also commonly referred newspaper “Iskra” (“Spark”) in Munich with the motto “From Spark to - The Great Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army - was raised Flame!” Aided by Lenin’s Bolsheviks to oppose foreign funds, Lenin actively challenged the various military collectively known as the White army during the Russian Civil War. After 1922ruling Tsarist regimes' doctrine, policy, the Red Army was transformed into the Army of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by the new regimeand institution.

==Why did World War I weaken the Romanov Regieme?==In 1917, exhausted by World War One, Tsarist Russia was a wreck. It was the perfect chaotic moment for Lenin to return home. Germany, in an attempt to destabilize Russia, sent Lenin back to Russia. They hoped Lenin would undermine the Russian war efforts. Instead of being arrested and exiled again, Lenin was welcomed home and supported by other radical thinkers such as Leon Trotsky. He quickly became the Marxist movement leader and led the Bolsheviks in the bloody, violent Red October Revolution. Lenin, much to his surprise, effectively ended the Russian Empire rather easily and established the Soviet state. [[Why did the Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917?|The Romanov Dynasty]] had become brittle and incredibly unpopular and Russians were willing to embrace Lenin's revolution. [[File:Russian_prisoners_tannenberg.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Russian prisoners after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Tannenberg in 1914]]In the following three years of civil war, the Bolsheviks successfully assumed total control of Russia. Lenin acted as the first head of this new socialistic regime and was the USSR architect. Lenin also commanded and led the famous Red Army - established immediately after the 1917 October Revolution. <ref>A.k.a. Red October or Bolshevik Revolution </ref>  Lenin proved decisive and ruthless from the very beginning. He neglected his fellow countrymen's sufferings because he was focused on crushing any internal opposition or riots. The Red Army or as it was also commonly referred to - The Great Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army - was raised by Lenin’s Bolsheviks to oppose the various military collectively known as the White army during the Russian Civil War. After 1922, the Red Army was transformed into the Army of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by the new regime. ==Did Lenin create a Cult of Personality==?== Lenin was a powerful and gifted orator . From an early age , Vladimir was capable of effectively communicating complicated concepts and ideas to his audience. Lenin could effectively communicate with Russians who had limited education. Unfortunately, Lenin was more interested in building a country around his persona instead of trying to improve the lives of improving Russian citizens' lives. Lenin was fairly ruthless with any opposition to his rule. Millions of free-will poets, philosophers , or priests lost their lives or were forced to emigrate. The orthodox church was almost entirely banned.

Lenin’s authoritarian regime generated opposition, and he narrowly survived a few assassination attempts. In one of these attempts, Lenin was severely wounded, and his long -term health was affected. Lenin's injury and workaholic nature eroded his health. In May 1922 , he suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered. He lost his power of speech, and his right arm and leg were paralyzed. In December, he had another stroke. The third followed in March 1923 and turned him into a living corpse. Lenin died on 24 January 1924. His body was embalmed and emblematically placed in a mausoleum on Moscow's Red Square. St Petersburg was renamed Leningrad in his honor.

====Conclusion==How did Lenin become the leader of the Soviet Union? ==Lenin transformed himself from an imprisoned radical to an absolute ruler in three decades. Lenin's shadow hung over the Soviet Union and Europe for another 70 years. While Lenin was a remarkable orator and writer, his takeover of Russia was a fluke. In 1917, the Russian Empire was a disaster. It was led by the Romanov's who were unpopular, foolish , and incompetent. World War I had also fatally weakened the Russian Empire. Lenin's revolution would have been quickly snuffed out if it had occurred at any other time in Russian history. Lenin's timing could not have been better. Lenin's luck allowed him to become the first revolutionary dictator of the century with global influence on a global scale.

*[[Why did the {{#dpl:category=Russian Romanov Dynasty collapse in 1917?]]*[[How Did the German Military Develop Blitzkrieg?]]*[[How did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in World War Two?]]*[[How did Mussolini become Prime Minister of Italy?]]History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=16}}

{{Contributors}} Updated November 30, 2020