10 Defining Moments in the Life of Lenin
Vladimir Lenin was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and inaugural head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1922 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924. Under his administration, Russia and then the wider Soviet Union became a one-party communist state governed by the Communist Party. Ideologically a Marxist, his theories and political principles became known as Leninism.
1887-05-08
1887-05-08
Brother executed
Lenin's elder brother, Alexander Ulyanov, was executed for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Emperor Alexander III.
17
Personal
1887-12-04
1887-12-04
Expelled from Kazan University
Lenin was expelled from Kazan University for participating in student protests.
17
Education
1895-12-08
1895-12-08
First arrest for revolutionary activity
Lenin was arrested and exiled to Siberia for his revolutionary activities and involvement in Marxist circles.
25
Political
1898-07-22
1898-07-22
Marriage to Nadezhda Krupskaya
While in exile in Siberia, Lenin married Nadezhda Krupskaya, his fellow Marxist and revolutionary.
28
Personal
1900-12-01
1900-12-01
Founding of Iskra
Lenin co-founded the revolutionary newspaper Iskra ('The Spark'), an influential organ of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.
30
Political
1903-08-01
1903-08-01
Bolshevik-Menshevik split
At the 2nd Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, a division occurred between Lenin's Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks.
33
Political
1917-11-07
1917-11-07
October Revolution
Lenin led the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing Soviet power.
47
Political
1918-03-03
1918-03-03
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Lenin signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers, withdrawing Russia from World War I.
47
Political
1918-08-30
1918-08-30
Assassination attempt
Lenin was severely wounded in an assassination attempt by Fanny Kaplan, which contributed to his declining health.
48
Personal
1922-12-30
1922-12-30
Formation of the Soviet Union
Under Lenin's leadership, the Russian SFSR and other Soviet republics formally united to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
52
Political