Vladimir Lenin led the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. A key figure in the early 20th century, Lenin played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Provisional Government in October 1917. He advocated for the establishment of a communist state based on Marxist principles, promising "peace, land, and bread" to the war-weary and disenfranchised Russian populace. Lenin's leadership marked the beginning of the Soviet Union, as the Bolsheviks consolidated power and implemented radical changes to Russian society. His contributions to Marxist theory and revolutionary practices left a lasting impact on global politics and the future of communism.