Definition

Proper noun A historical figure, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov) was the revolutionary leader who founded the Bolshevik party, led the October Revolution of 1917, and became the first head of government of the Soviet Union.

Usage

The term "Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" is used to refer specifically to the person, his political ideology (Leninism), and his historical role. * He is widely known simply as Lenin. * His writings and policies continue to be studied in political theory and history.

Examples

• Vladimir Ilyich Lenin wrote extensively on imperialism and revolutionary strategy.
• The mausoleum in Red Square contains the embalmed body of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
• Many statues of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin were removed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Advanced Usage

• Leninism: The political and economic theories developed by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, which argue for the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat led by a revolutionary vanguard party.
  • Leninism is considered a development of Marxist theory.
• Marxism-Leninism: The ideological basis of many 20th-century communist states, synthesizing the theories of Karl Marx and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
  • The official state ideology was Marxism-Leninism.

Variants and Related Words

• Lenin (n): The common shortened form of his name.
• Leninist (adj/n): Relating to Lenin or Leninism; a follower of Lenin.
  • Leninist thought; He was a committed Leninist.
• Bolshevik (n/adj): A member of the majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, which was led by Lenin and later became the Communist Party.
  • The Bolshevik Revolution.

Synonyms

• Revolutionary leader
• Bolshevik leader
• Founder of the Soviet Union

Related Phrases and Concepts

• April Theses: The directives issued by Lenin upon his return to Russia in 1917, calling for Soviet power and an end to the war.
• New Economic Policy (NEP): An economic policy introduced by Lenin in 1921 that allowed some private enterprise.
• What Is To Be Done?: A pivotal 1902 political pamphlet written by Lenin outlining his theory of party organization.

Noun

1. Russian founder of the Bolsheviks and leader of the Russian Revolution and first head of the USSR (1870-1924)