"When there is state there can be no freedom, but when
there is freedom there will be no state."
How an innocent young man became a
hardened ruler
Lenin was born with he name Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov on April 22, 1870 in Simbirsk, Russia. The name Lenin was the most popular of many pseudonyms he used throughout his life. Vladimir's family was upper middle class and his older brother Aleksandr was a hero to him. As result when Aleksandr was executed for planning to kill Czar Alexander III, Vladimir was devastated. this devastating event in Vladimir's life prompted him pursue social change. There were many groups during Lenin's youth that advocated for drastic changes in government and and society. This made it easy him to start to fighting against the status quo. During college Lenin was kicked out but still was able to take exams as an external student, and he received very good grades. While he was in his college years Lenin discovered the economic theory of Karl Marx.
"The progress of man through the ages was determined by a series of class conflicts. Just as the bourgeoisie had overthrown the aristocracy to establish capitalism, the proletariat would ultimately overthrow the bourgeoisie in a massive revolution to establish socialism. Once in control, the proletariat would forbid anyone from owning capital (i.e., property), thus creating a communal society."
He used this theory of replacing another social class to plan his takeover of Russia.
Lenin was exiled imprisoned for 14 years before for spreading propaganda. although his years in prison were bearable because of his higher standing social status He was later exiled to Siberia for three years where he wrote extensive pieces of political literature. While in exile he also created a network of revolutionaries to help him fight the power.
After exile in 1900 Lenin moved around Europe publishing a newspaper that was sent and read all around Russia. The newspaper bashed the government, and insisted that a new system must be put in place. This newspaper was said to be the "scaffolding of the Communist party." After a failed revolution Lenin spent 10 more years under the radar in various European countries. During that time he cam into contact with the Russian Social Democratic Worker's party (RSDWP) who supported his cause.
THE RISE OF COMMUNISM
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Lenin in Sverdlov Square
Lenin Making a Speech in Moscow
After WWI Russia was thrust into near-famine conditions because of lose of troops and sheer political incompetence. Because of this the Russian people forced Czar Nicholas II to step down, and they instituted a provisional government. This new government was wildly unpopular amongst the people; a revolution ensued. People took to the streets, there were citizens firing on soldiers while dirt poor women were waiting in bread lines to feed their families.. The Bolsheviks ( a faction of the RSDWP) lead a revolution and overthrew the provisional government. More Conflict was born shortly after the revolution. Anticommunists created the Russian White Army in an attempt to topple the Communist regime. Despite their efforts in 1922 Leon Trotsky and Lenin lead the Russian Red army and stomped out the anti-Communists hopes of gaining power. The red army was so strong because of Lenin's years of networking with other revolutionaries. During this civil war Lenin ceased power, and this is when he began to depart from Marx's theory. Instead of setting up capitalism, Lenin introduced Communism and was supported by a group of highly trained and dedicated revolutionaries. Lenin disregarded any suggestion of peaceful, social-democratic reforms. By 1918 Lenin changed the RSDWP into the All-Russian Communist Party.
While in power Lenin believed in peace with Germany during WWI at all costs. Later in 1919 he created the communist international in order to spread communism. He also encouraged trade unions and workers control over industries, national land holdings and private finances. He also disbanded the imperial army and wiped out all of his political opposition. Although seemingly good policies, Lenin was a ruthless leader. He even created a political police to "take care of" any adversaries. The people took notice and some took to the streets to riot. After civil wars, Lenin instituted a new economic policy that promoted more freedom in agriculture industry and trade. In Lenin's new state the was no freedom, because he believed "When there is state there can be no freedom, but when there is freedom there will be no state." Lenin loved his country, and wanted it to be united. He thought the best way to do this was restrict people's rights.
A once flourishing man, crippled.
Lenin on his Death Bed
The growth of a massive communist party questioned these reforms, and Lenin's new socialistic system was threatened. Lenin was being threatened by his own party, and then in 1922 the ambitious Joseph stalin was elected to the powerful position of general secretary. After a failed assignation four years prior in 1918 Lenin never recovered. Lenin's health began to decline quickly in 1922. Stress helped to contribute to his health problems and he had to begin to relinquish power. When Lenin took control of Lenin's health care all hope was lost for a recovery, as Stalin had his own plans to become the new leader of Russia. It is not known for sure how Lenin died but it was claimed he died of a neurosyphilis stroke (see New York Times Article below). Lenin tried to warn his party of his comrade Joseph Stalin's harsh ways, but because of unfortunate timing and communication the word never got out. Although Lenin's reign was not perfect the regime that succeeded him was much more ruthless than his.
Was lenin's death disease or Murder?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/health/research/lenins-death-remains-a-mystery-for-doctors.html?_r=0
Works Cited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaK-l0bPyY0
"Vladimir Ilyich Lenin." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
"Vladimir Lenin." World History: The Modern Era.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lenin-Trotsky_1920-05-20_Sverdlov_Square_(censored).jpg
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/doctor-syphilis-didn-kill-lenin-family-member-people-assassinate-doctor-article-1.1072563
"Vladimir Lenin Quotes." BrainyQuotes. Xplore, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/vladimir_lenin.html>.
Creative and well organized blog. You were well informed about you topic and you were able to speak as if you were an expert on your topic.
ReplyDeleteThis was really well-researched and informative. I think the most interesting part of Lenin's life, though, was that he was put on the sealed train in 1917. The Germans put him on the train with huge sums of money, mercenaries and weapons (everything he needed to stage a revolution in Russia) and made sure he arrived in Russia by "sealing" the train (not having any stops until the final destination). They did this because Russia was becoming a world power and too strong for Germany's taste. Lenin then seized power and asserted his Communist values in Russia. It is hard to fathom that if the Germans had not gotten involved with Lenin then Stalin wouldn't have gotten in power and all the pain and suffering recounted in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich might not have happened.
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very well organized and had a lot of important information. I was amazed to read that if the Germans never entertained Lenin or his ideas that communism and Stalin in Russia would not have come to power and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich would never have been written. Also the subject of Lenin's death and weather it was disease or murder by Stalin is very interesting to me because it can be argued either way quite easily and it is almost certain we will never know the answer.
ReplyDeleteI liked the quote you began with because it really grabbed my attention and set a good tone for the post. I found it interesting how the death of his brother is what drove him to pursue a political career. Your titles for each section are interesting and thought provoking making the reader want to continue. I especially liked the first one because it proposes the idea that Lenin was not always ruthless and cold, but was made that was through his experiences as a young man. The article you attached was a nice choice and it was also very intriguing. Your post was very informative and really showed Lenin's influence on Russian history and communism.
ReplyDeleteYour post was very detailed and very informative, and I was able to grasp a clear understanding about communism and its origins. I enjoyed reading about Lenin and about the role he played in Russia during the revolution. Obviously Stalin was not happy with Lenin and his character, and I enjoyed how you questioned at the end is Lenin's death was an actual disease or murder. While reading this post, I kept seeing that Lenin was the polar opposite of Stalin. Lenin made peace with Germany, and genuinely cared about freedom for his people. The headings and quotes were also very grabbing which made the post easier to read, it was very creative.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely Cauchy my attention with the quote in the beginning, as well as the title of your first section. I think it is very important in a project like this to make your post as "readable" as possible for the other students in order to get info across more successfully and easily. You did a good job of this. On top of that your information was articulated nicely and detailed as well. I also liked the conspiracy-type link at the end of your post. That was pretty interesting.
ReplyDelete