2. Vladimir Lenin 4 1870-1924 4 Combined ideas with deadly ruthlessness to create an empire that changed and shaped the history of the 20th century. He was called an “evil genius.” 4 Many Soviets consider him the father of their country.

4. Early Years 4 Lenin’s personality and attitude completely changed when his brother (Alexander-Sasha) was executed for planning to assassinate Tsar Alexander III (1845-1894). 4 Lenin began studying Marxist (workers uniting) ideas and was exiled to Siberia.

5. »Returning to Russia he created a slogan of “Peace, Land and Bread” that helped him become leader of the Bolsheviks.

7. Leader of the Soviets 4 Lenin created the Congress of Soviets which passed 3 important laws. 4 1) Immediate peace with Germany. 4 2) Took all landlords’ and church lands. 4 3) Creation of an inner circle (headed by Lenin) which included Joseph Stalin.

8. The Death of Lenin 4 1919 he was shot by a woman in Moscow wounded in the neck and shoulder. 4 1922 suffers the first of 3 strokes leaving him paralyzed on the right side with lost speech. 4 1924 dies and body was embalmed and placed on permanent public view in a mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow.

9. Lenin After Stroke

14. Evaluation of Lenin 4 While trying to liberate humanity from every kind of oppression he actually laid the foundation for complete Soviet totalitarianism (total government control). 4 For good or bad few people in history have influenced a country more than him.

15. 4 City of Petrograd is renamed Leningrad in 1924 in his honor. 4 Reign of terror begins in the Soviet Union as Joseph Stalin takes control.