Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917, overthrowing the Provisional Government. As leader of the Bolsheviks, Lenin promised the people "Peace, Bread, and Land" to gain their support. Lenin established a communist government and renamed the country the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. He instituted political and economic reforms including giving land to peasants and putting workers in control of factories. However, Lenin also led Russia into a civil war and signed a treaty withdrawing Russia from World War I, ceding territory to Germany.

1. Vladimir Ilyich
Ulyanov "Lenin" was
the architect of
Russia’s 1917
Bolshevik revolution
and the first leader
of what became the
Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics
(USSR).

2. • As the leader of the Bolsheviks, he
promised “Peace, Bread, and Land” to
gain popular support to overthrow the
Russian government.

3. The Russian Revelation Lenin's
Deeds
The Provisional Government fell in November
1917, workers took control of the government
In March 1921, Lenin launches New Economic
Policy, which had some capitalist elements
Lenin gives land to peasants, puts workers in
control of factories
The revolution started by Lenin aimed at
raising the standard of living, bringing about
prosperity and establishing social equality.

4. Civil War Rages in
Russia
Civil War between
Bolsheviks’ Red
Army and the White
Army which
supported the Czar
Red Army wins
three-year war that
leaves 14 million
dead

5. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
• Lenin had Russia sign a peace treaty
with Germany, ending its involvement
in WWI.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, 1918

6. Political Reforms
Lenin and the Communists politically
reorganized Russia,
Creates self-governing republics (mini-
states) under national government
Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics
(U.S.S.R.); 1922 – 1991

7. Political Reforms
• In 1922, country renamed Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.)
• Communist Party—new name taken by
Bolsheviks from writings of Marx
Flag of the
Russian Empire
Flag of the
Soviet Union

8. • Communist Party was the only party
that ran the government, using violence
and terror to force control.
Only Party

9.  He started a civil war which took at least 15 mln.
lives.
 He ruined the by 1913 the fastest growing
European economy.
 He plunged the country and half-of-Europe in 70
years of massive deaths, misery, and deprivation.
Lenin Leadership & mistake
 every single country should have a Communist
Party committed to overthrowing that state.