Lenin sentenced to exile in Siberia

In February 1897, Lenin was sentenced to three years of exile in eastern Siberia without a trial. This decision was part of the broader repression of revolutionary activities in Russia, particularly targeting those who opposed the Tsarist regime. Lenin's exile was significant not only for his personal life but also for the Russian revolutionary movement. During the brief period he was allowed in Saint Petersburg to arrange his affairs, he took the opportunity to meet with fellow Social-Democrats, reinforcing his connections and influence within the movement. His subsequent journey to Siberia lasted 11 weeks, during which he faced the harsh realities of travel under surveillance. Upon arrival in Shushenskoye, he was placed under strict police oversight, yet he managed to maintain correspondence with other revolutionaries. This period of exile became a crucial time for Lenin, as it allowed him to reflect on his political strategies and solidify his ideological stance against Tsarism, the aristocracy, and the bourgeoisie. His experiences in Siberia contributed to the development of his theories on class consciousness and the necessity of a proletarian revolution, which would later play a pivotal role in the Russian Revolution.