Nikolai

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a leader of the hent in Russia. His NIKOLAI, a leader of the Ilyitch Uulyanoff and government in Russia. His ble parentage at Sim- Ilyitch Uulyanoff and in 1870. Taking te noble parentage at Simy in life he became a Volga in 1870. Taking te early in life he became a convert to Marx doctrines and accepted the dictum of the Third International Congress in favor of the creation of an international state to be dominated by the workers. Although elected to the Second Duma he was exiled in 1905 when the reaction set in. During the early part of the European War of 1914 he was interned in Cracow, Austria, as an alien enemy, but later received permission to go to Switzerland. When the Revolution of March, 1917, took place in Russia, Lenine, together with several other Russians in exile, was allowed to proceed to Russia across Germany. Arriving at Petrograd before Kerensky's government had been established he at once set to work, advocating immediate peace and the "dictatorship of the proletariat." His effort to overturn the Kerensky government in July of 1917 was a NIKOLAI LENINE failure and Lenine was forced to go into hiding for a crowned his efforts with success and he found himself at the head of Russian affairs. Well knowing the longing of the Russian people for peace, Lenine immediately opened negotiations with the Germans and in March of 1918 signed the peace of Brest-Litovsk by which Germany was granted a considerable slice of Russian territory. Although formally at peace with Russia, Lenine encouraged his agents to spread their propaganda among the Germans and effectually contributed to the outbreak of the revo- bar in 1897. In 1901 he was elected a lution in Berlin. The Allied Governments continued hostile to Lenine and ed gave support to men who had for their object the overthrow of the Soviet Government. One by one, however, Lenine defeated them all and the year 1919 ended with his power more absolute in Russia than when it had begun. Many accusations have been made by his enemies against him: that he organized a reign of terror in Russia which threatorga ened to exterminate all who refused to which thre acknowledge his power; that he accepted who retused German gold and has acted in the interthat he accep est of Germany; that he has profited by ed in the int the distresses of his people. The truth has profited of these sweeping accusations cannot as le. The tr yet be determined. That he is bitterly tions canno hated in Russia by some is shown by rehe is bitt peated efforts to assassinate him. The Allied Governments, including the United Le him. Th States, have steadily, up to July, 1920, refused to recognize his government, and for a considerable time held Russia unroveramen der a strict blockade. Prior to his acheld Kussin cession to power in Russia Lenine published several works on Socialism, the sia Lenine most important of which is his "Develop- Socialism ment of Capitalism in Russia." Je his "De