Origins

Lenin was born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov in 1870. This film takes us through his middle-class origins, how he was radicalised by the world he saw around him, especially following the execution of his brother, and how the future politician and revolutionary developed amongst the extremes of Imperial Russian society.

In this film Dr Lara Douds (Northumbria University) discusses Lenin’s background, his journey through university, his early engagement with radical politics, and how he became part of an increasingly revolutionary movement focused on the works of Karl Marx. Dr Douds provides context of the Russia Lenin grew up in and examines differing interpretations of the role and significance of Lenin’s personality on his ideas and politics.