Revolutionary · 1870 – 1924
Vladimir Lenin
Little-Known Facts
- He spent much of his pre-revolutionary life in exile in Europe, writing in Swiss libraries and Parisian cafés.
- Germany deliberately transported him across Europe in a sealed train in 1917, hoping his revolution would knock Russia out of World War I — which it did.
Myths & Misconceptions
Was Lenin less violent than Stalin?
Lenin established the Cheka secret police, pioneered the Red Terror, and used mass violence against opponents — Stalin's terror was greater in scale but built on foundations Lenin created.