Who was the principal architect of the Russian Revolution in 1917?

The principal architect of the Russian Revolution in 1917 was Vladimir Lenin. He played a pivotal role in the Bolshevik faction's rise to power, advocating for a radical approach to overthrow the existing government and establish a socialist state. Lenin's leadership and strategic vision facilitated the Bolshevik takeover in October 1917, resulting in the establishment of a government based on Marxist principles. His influence was crucial in shaping both the revolution's ideology and its execution, making him a central figure in the event's history.

In contrast, other figures mentioned do not share the same level of direct involvement in the revolution itself. Joseph Stalin was a prominent leader in the Communist Party and later became the head of the Soviet Union, but he was not in a leading position until after Lenin's death. Leon Trotsky was instrumental as a leader within the Bolshevik movement and helped organize the Red Army, but he operated primarily as a supporter and co-leader rather than as the principal architect. Vladimir Putin, being a modern political figure, had no involvement with the events of 1917, as he emerged much later in Russian history. Thus, Lenin's contributions distinctly mark him as the central architect of the Russian Revolution.