Vladimir Lenin was the famous Russian leader known for his pivotal role in the October Revolution of 1917. As a key figure in the Bolshevik Party, Lenin played a significant role in overthrowing the Provisional Government that had replaced Tsar Nicholas II earlier that year. He was a proponent of Marxist ideology, advocating for a proletarian revolution to achieve state control. After the Bolsheviks seized power, Lenin became the leader of the newly established Soviet government, implementing policies that aimed to consolidate communist rule and reshape Russian society. His influence shaped the direction of the Soviet Union for decades to come.