On April 22nd, 1870, Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov “Lenin,” hero of the Russian Revolution, and architect of the world’s first Socialist state, was born. His contributions to the Marxist canon and to the revolutionary theory and practice of the proletariat throughout the world carries on to this day, in increasing magnitude. Every passing day, he is vindicated. His analysis of imperialism, the right of nations to self-determination, and revolutionary strategy have played a key role in the past century, and have remained ever-more relevant throughout.
He also loved cats!
Some significant works:
Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism
The Right of Nations to Self-Determination
Materialism and Empirio-Criticism
Interested in Marxism-Leninism, but don’t know where to start? Check out my “Read Theory, Darn it!” introductory reading list!
Never idolize anyone. I think the lack of certainty in the number of deaths Lenin was responsible for adds more horror to his decisions. No matter how pretty his ideas were, or how cute he looked with a cat, an oligarch is an oligarch, and as soon as a revolutionary acquires power, they become the oppressor.
its so easy to be a western liberal, you can just de-legitimize every single progressive revolution in history because none go completely perfect and you never do anything because god forbid you commit a single error and thus be literally the same as the people in power who straight up murder people for fun.
“Noo, the revolutionaries will oppress you”, said the current oppressors, projecting their vile deeds onto their enemies
The lack in certainty at the extent of the excesses in the Russian Revolution primarily stems from separating what actually happened on the ground, and what was reported in Western countries via anti-communist propaganda. Revolution is bloody business, and the Tsarists resisting the Russian Civil War fought hard against the newly Socialist society emerging, as well as 14 Capitalist countries that had invaded to shut down the revolution.
All governments are oppressive, what matters is which class is doing the oppressing. In the Soviet Union, the Proletariat had taken control, and wielded the power of the state to shut down fascists, Tsarists, and the bourgeoisie. The outcome was quite positive for the Working Class. Throughout the history of the Soviet Union, immense strides were made.
Free healthcare, childcare, and education were provided. Literacy rates tripled to 99.9%, life expectancy doubled from the 30s to the 70s, and the USSR managed to go from feudalism to space in half a century as a consequence. Women’s rights were expanded greatly. The Red Army also liberated the world from the threat of the Nazis, having been responsible for the taking of Berlin, and 90% of the total Nazi deaths. Wealth inequality shrank dramatically, while economic growth boomed. The USSR also supported national liberation movements against Colonialism and Imperialism, in countries like Cuba, Algeria, Korea, China, Vietnam, and Palestine.
All in all, Lenin indeed was an oppressor from the perspective of the bourgeoisie. However, from the perspective of the proletariat, he was a hero, and is celebrated as a liberator from the oppression of the Tsar.
Then why did they kill so many peasants and workers?
Except for the ones who are dead.
Can you elaborate?
talking about Kulloks
“Peasants and workers,” I see.
For the record I was not saying they where but that is very clearly what the person you origionaly replied to was refering too… because Westerners
Yea, I was going along with you, lol
Context. If you look at the terrible Allied violence in WWII, without context, you easily conclude the Allies were the villains.
Also, of course, there is widespread capitalist propaganda.