Vladimir Lenin's Milestones

Vladimir Lenin was a Russian revolutionary leader, founder of the Soviet Union, architect of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, and a central figure in the development of modern communism.
1870

Birth

Vladimir Lenin was born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov in Simbirsk, Russia, to Ilya and Maria Ulyanova.

Family April 22, 1870
1887

Brother executed

His older brother Alexander was executed for plotting to assassinate Tsar Alexander III, deeply influencing Lenin's revolutionary path.

Family May 8, 1887

Expelled from Kazan University

Expelled from Kazan University for participating in student protests; began radicalization and self-education in revolutionary literature.

Education December 1, 1887
1889

Became Marxist and legal assistant

Joined Marxist circles in Samara; worked as a legal assistant, translated and studied Marxist texts, and began political activism.

Other September 1, 1889 - August 1, 1893
1893

Moved to St. Petersburg

Moved to St. Petersburg; became a leader in Marxist revolutionary circles and met Nadezhda Krupskaya.

Location August 1, 1893 - February 1, 1897
1897

Arrested and exiled to Siberia

Arrested for revolutionary activities; exiled to Shushenskoye, Siberia, where he continued writing and married Nadezhda Krupskaya.

Other February 1, 1897 - February 1, 1900
1899

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.

Achievement March 1, 1899
1900

Founded Iskra newspaper

Founded the revolutionary newspaper Iskra in Munich, London, and Geneva to unite Russian Marxists.

Achievement December 1, 1900 - July 1, 1903
1903

Founded Bolshevik faction

Led the split of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, founding the Bolshevik faction at the Second Party Congress in London.

Achievement July 1, 1903
1905

Led Bolsheviks in 1905 Revolution

Returned to Russia during the 1905 Revolution; advocated armed insurrection, edited radical newspapers, and fled abroad after crackdown.

Achievement January 22, 1905 - June 1, 1907
1907

Exiled in Europe

Lived in exile across Europe (Finland, Switzerland, France), led Bolshevik strategy, and developed revolutionary theory.

Other June 1, 1907 - April 3, 1917
1917

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.'

Achievement April 3, 1917

October Revolution

Led the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing Soviet rule.

Achievement November 7, 1917
1918

Survived assassination attempts

Survived two assassination attempts; the second left him seriously wounded.

Other January 14, 1918 - August 30, 1918

Signed Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending Russia's involvement in World War I at great territorial cost.

Achievement March 3, 1918

Led during Russian Civil War

Led the Soviet government through the Russian Civil War, defeating anti-Bolshevik White forces and consolidating Bolshevik power.

Achievement June 1, 1918 - November 1, 1921

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.

Other September 5, 1918
1919

Founded Comintern

Founded the Communist International (Comintern) to promote world revolution.

Achievement March 1, 1919
1921

Launched New Economic Policy (NEP)

Introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP), allowing limited private enterprise to revive the economy after war and famine.

Achievement March 21, 1921
1922

Wrote 'Lenin's Testament'

Dictated 'Lenin's Testament', criticizing Stalin and other leaders, and warning about party bureaucracy.

Other December 23, 1922 - January 4, 1923

Formed Soviet Union

Formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), becoming its first leader.

Achievement December 30, 1922
1924

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.

Other January 21, 1924