‘Lenin was the ruler who did the most to transform Russia in the period 1855-1953’. How far
do you agree?
The transformation of Russia, from a backward, feudal society in 1855 to an industrialised
superpower by 1953 cannot be solely attributed to Lenin. Rather, Stalin was the ruler who did most
to economically transform Russia whilst enacting regressive social and political transformation.
Nevertheless, under Lenin’s rule, Russia transformed both politically and socially by bringing about
the first communist government in the world. Yet, many of Lenin’s core reforms were overturned by
Stalin, bringing into question if any of Lenin’s policies did truly transform Russia in the long term.
Neither the Tsars can be credited with transforming Russia the most, as their regimes were
characterised by little political change and limited (but growing) economic transformation. This
asymmetrical approach to reform was done out the Tsars’ desire to preserve the autocracy. In
contrast, Stalin’s relentless drive to transform Russia can be viewed as ideological in nature, in line
with his doctrine of ‘socialism in one country’, which aimed to develop a strong socialist system in
Russia first, particularly though industrial modernisation. For this reason, Stalin can be viewed as the
most transformative leader between 1855 to 1953, rather than Lenin.
The overthrow of a liberal, bourgeois democracy in favour of a ‘dictatorship of the
proletariat’ in October 1917 was the single most transformational event for the political landscape in
Russia. Yet, perhaps it wouldn’t of have occurred without the February Revolution which dismantled
the 300 year old autocracy of the Romanov dynasty. Under the leadership of the Kadet-led
Provisional Government, the Russian political arena was transformed substantially – political
prisoners were released, censorship was removed, religious freedom was allowed, the Okhrana was
abolished, and local elections were held. This level of liberalisation was the most significant since
Alexander II’s reforms in terms of transforming Russia’s politics, but it wouldn’t be long lasting and
thus not the most transformational. Ironically this liberalisation allowed an outlet for extremist
groups and thus the weak Provisional Government lasted a mere 8 months and replaced with a
Bolshevik government. A notable consequence of Lenin’s rise to power is that it allowed the
possibility of a ‘Soviet democracy’ to develop, which would of have been a monumental political
transformation. Indeed, the first free elections in Russian history occurred on 25 November 1917
under Bolshevik supervision. Initially, Lenin intended to work with groups such as the Left SRs, but a
humiliating electoral defeat coupled with the advent of the Russian Civil War that same month,
crushed any plans of a Soviet democracy. Lenin gradually assumed full dictatorial powers, in order to
defeat the counterrevolutionaries. This return to authoritarian rule culminated in 1921 when he
banned factions within the party and reinstated the death penalty. Furthermore, Lenin resorted to
the ‘Red Terror’ (1918-1922), where 100,000 were killed by the Cheka in an act of political
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