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.