Vladimir Lenin

Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) – Founder of the Soviet Union

• Actions:
  • Led the creation of the Soviet Union, establishing it as a multi-ethnic federation with formally separate states.
  • Promoted Ukrainization policies to stabilize the Union and appease nationalist movements.
  • Placed Ukraine under de facto Russian control, despite granting it broad initial autonomy.
• Significance:
  • Claims that he "created the Ukrainian state," such as by Vladimir Putin, are misleading given the Ukrainian People's Republic's aspirations and Lenin’s suppression of them.
  • Many of his statues have been removed or destroyed in Ukraine.
• Successor and Legacy:
  • Succeeded by Joseph Stalin after a protracted succession struggle.

This is part of the #Significantpersons series.