Vladimir Lenin's Milestones
Birth
Vladimir Lenin was born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov in Simbirsk, Russia, to Ilya and Maria Ulyanova.
Brother executed
His older brother Alexander was executed for plotting to assassinate Tsar Alexander III, deeply influencing Lenin's revolutionary path.
Expelled from Kazan University
Expelled from Kazan University for participating in student protests; began radicalization and self-education in revolutionary literature.
Became Marxist and legal assistant
Joined Marxist circles in Samara; worked as a legal assistant, translated and studied Marxist texts, and began political activism.
Moved to St. Petersburg
Moved to St. Petersburg; became a leader in Marxist revolutionary circles and met Nadezhda Krupskaya.
Arrested and exiled to Siberia
Arrested for revolutionary activities; exiled to Shushenskoye, Siberia, where he continued writing and married Nadezhda Krupskaya.
Published 'The Development of Capitalism in Russia'
Published his major work 'The Development of Capitalism in Russia' while in exile, establishing himself as a leading Marxist theorist.
Founded Iskra newspaper
Founded the revolutionary newspaper Iskra in Munich, London, and Geneva to unite Russian Marxists.
Founded Bolshevik faction
Led the split of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, founding the Bolshevik faction at the Second Party Congress in London.
Led Bolsheviks in 1905 Revolution
Returned to Russia during the 1905 Revolution; advocated armed insurrection, edited radical newspapers, and fled abroad after crackdown.
Exiled in Europe
Lived in exile across Europe (Finland, Switzerland, France), led Bolshevik strategy, and developed revolutionary theory.
Returned to Russia after February Revolution
Returned to Petrograd after the February Revolution, published the April Theses, and called for 'All power to the Soviets.'
October Revolution
Led the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing Soviet rule.
Survived assassination attempts
Survived two assassination attempts; the second left him seriously wounded.
Signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending Russia's involvement in World War I at great territorial cost.
Led during Russian Civil War
Led the Soviet government through the Russian Civil War, defeating anti-Bolshevik White forces and consolidating Bolshevik power.
Ordered Red Terror and created Cheka
Ordered the Red Terror and established the Cheka, a secret police force, to suppress opposition during the Civil War.
Founded Comintern
Founded the Communist International (Comintern) to promote world revolution.
Launched New Economic Policy (NEP)
Introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP), allowing limited private enterprise to revive the economy after war and famine.
Wrote 'Lenin's Testament'
Dictated 'Lenin's Testament', criticizing Stalin and other leaders, and warning about party bureaucracy.
Formed Soviet Union
Formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), becoming its first leader.
Death
Vladimir Lenin died in Gorki, Russia, after a series of strokes; his body was later embalmed and placed in Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow.