In 1917, Lenin, leader of the Russian bolsjeviks (majority, opposite of mensjeviks=minority) lived in exile in Switzerland. His secret political address book only contained ten active members in Russia.
After the Russian revolution in february the Germans let Lenin go to Russia and in april he arrives in Moskou.
With loads of German money allowing them to print the Pravda newspaper in huge numbers, the party swells to 200.000 members by august 1917.
In october the bolsjeviks take over and repression and civil war begin.
It is dazzling how radical actions by individuals can change history.
Before the second world war an initially small fraction like the nazi's will again take control over the masses, using terror.
20 August 2008
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