INTRODUCTION: In the early 20th century, the Russian Empire was an enormous state that had expanded from the edges of Europe across to the Pacific Ocean. It was governed by the absolute monarchs of the Romanov family. Despite its size and strength, Russia was still a backwards society where most of the population were poor peasants who had just recently shaken off the bondage of serfdom (i.e., a condition where they were tied to the land and had to serve their noble masters).  Despite attempts by the Russian state to industrialize, the process of modernization was slow and some of the Russian czars (kings) often created policies that opposed industrialization. As it industrialized, Russia suffered from the excesses of the Industrial Revolution, leading many to call for radical change, including Vladimir I. Lenin (right), who adopted ideas from the German philosopher Karl Marx and began to protest against the Czarist regime. He became a professional revolutionary, the political leader of the "Bolsheviks," the most radical branch of the Russian Communist Party. As a result of his writings and actions, Lenin was eventually exiled to Switzerland. 

In 1914, the First World War began and Russia failed in its attempts to invade Germany and Austria-Hungary. By 1917,  there were wage and food shortages across the country, leading to a revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the czar and the establishment of a new provisional, democratic government. However, the newly-elected Russian Duma (Congress) continued to fight the Great War and few problems were solved. It is at this time that Lenin was given transport by Germany back into Russia. Below is an excerpt from one of his books:

By Vladimir I. Lenin, August 1917.