Lenin, << LEHN ihn >>, V. I. (1870-1924), founded the Communist Party in Russia and set up the world's first Communist party dictatorship. He led the October Revolution of 1917, in which the Communists seized power in Russia. He then ruled the country until his death in 1924.

Marx, Karl (1818-1883), ranks among the most important thinkers of the 1800's. Few writers in all of history rival him for his broad influence on world affairs. His writings helped form a foundation for the political and economic system known as Communism.

Stalin << STAH lihn, >> Joseph (1879-1953), was dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.), also known as the Soviet Union, from 1929 until 1953. He rose from bitter poverty to become ruler of a country that covered about a sixth of the world's land area.

Trotsky, << TROT skee, >> Leon (1879-1940), also spelled Trotzky, was a leader of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia (see Bolsheviks ). While Lenin lived, Trotsky was the second most powerful man in Russia. After Lenin's death, Trotsky lost the leadership to Joseph Stalin. Trotsky was later exiled. Until his assassination in Mexico City, Trotsky waged a bitter fight against Stalin from abroad. See Lenin, V. I. ; Stalin, Joseph .

Nicholas II (1868-1918), the last czar of Russia, ruled from 1894 to 1917. A member of the Romanov line of rulers, he succeeded his father, Alexander III. Nicholas believed a czar must have absolute power and opposed parliamentary government. He possessed great personal charm but lacked the vision of a strong leader.

Russia signalled her withdrawal from World War One soon after the October Revolution of 1917, and the country turned in on itself with a bloody civil war between the Bolsheviks and the conservative White Guard. Jonathan Smele charts this turbulent episode in the forging of post-tsarist Russia.

Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of rebellions against the Russian czar (emperor), Nicholas II. The revolution swept away the Russian monarchy and laid the foundation for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, also called the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union ruled Russia and its neighboring republics for 70 years.

Lenin’s April Theses were actually a brief account of a speech he delivered on his return to Russia on April 3rd 1917, then summarised in writing the following day:

Pravda (Truth) was the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union until the Communists lost control of the Soviet government in 1991.

The naval base of Kronstadt lies on Kotlin Island near the head of the Gulf of Finland. Peter the Great captured the island from the Swedes in 1703 and built it into a naval fortress to protect his new capital. The concentration of heavy armory and sailors on the small island made it a bulwark against foreign invasion, but also a tinderbox in times of internal unrest. During the stormy years 1905-1906 several mutinies broke out on Kronstadt.

Communism is a political and economic system that is characterized by government ownership of land and capital (wealth). Communism is also a theory (set of ideas) concerned with social justice. In practice, however, Communism has been characterized by powerful and often brutal totalitarian governments. A totalitarian government is one in which the state has absolute control over almost every part of people's lives.

Russian anthem sung (in Russian) by the choir and orchestra of Soviet radio, conducted by A. Gauk. Recorded 1956.

Russian Anthem sung (in English) by Paul Robeson and accompanied by the Keynote Orchestra and Chorus. Recorded 1945.