Son of a shoemaker in Georgia

Bolshevik, taking part in crimes

Reputation for being ruthless

Loyal supporter of Lenin on the Bolshevik Central Committee

Became General Secretary of the Party

Liked simple & practical ideas

Born to Jewish farmers in Ukraine

Clever & developed many revolutionary ideas

Before 1917, lived in exile as a publicist

Returned to Russia in March 1917 to join Bolsheviks

Became Chairman of Petrograd Soviet in Sept. 1917

Took charge of Communist success plans, including taking the Winter Palace in October/November 1917

Commissar for War under Lenin

Created the Red Army that defeated the Whites