Leninism is often distinguished from "orthodox Marxism" by several key developments:
: He posited that world capitalism was most vulnerable at its "weakest link"—developing or colonial countries like Russia—rather than just the most advanced industrial nations. Leninism Under Lenin
: This concept involved the seizure of state power by the working class (led by the Party) to suppress the bourgeoisie and begin the transition to communism . Leninism in Practice (1917–1924) Leninism is often distinguished from "orthodox Marxism" by
The application of these theories was often shaped by the chaos of the Russian Civil War : Leninism Under Lenin by Marcel Liebman: Review Leninism Under Lenin
: Lenin argued that workers would not spontaneously develop revolutionary consciousness beyond simple trade unionism. Instead, a disciplined, professional party of "vanguards" was required to lead the revolution.