Question

Why did Lenin support the idea of self-determination for different countries?

• He believed that this would make other countries like socialism more.
• He hoped that the new governments would then adopt socialism like Russia.
• He was not interested in making Russia a bigger country once more.
• He did not want places like Ukraine or Finland in the new Russia.

Answer 1

All four statements contain elements of truth, but some need clarification. Best summary: Lenin supported national self‑determination mainly as a tactical and principled means to weaken imperialism, win the trust and support of oppressed nationalities, and create the conditions for voluntary socialist cooperation rather than forcible Russian expansion. More specifically:

- True: "He believed that this would make other countries like socialism more." — Largely correct. Lenin argued that supporting self‑determination would win over oppressed peoples and make them more receptive to socialist ideas and to alliances with the proletarian revolution.

- Partly true: "He hoped that the new governments would then adopt socialism like Russia." — Partly correct. He hoped national liberation would promote revolutionary development and proletarian unity, and in some cases lead toward socialism, but he did not assume instant or automatic conversion to Bolshevism.

- True: "He was not interested in making Russia a bigger country once more." — Correct. Lenin opposed recreating the old tsarist empire and condemned Great‑Russian chauvinism; he favored breaking up imperial domination rather than expanding it.

- Mostly true (needs nuance): "He did not want places like Ukraine or Finland in the new Russia." — He insisted these nations had the right to secede and should not be forced into Russia. At the same time he hoped many would join a voluntary federal socialist union rather than cut ties permanently.