Final answer:
The rule of Lenin and the Bolsheviks brought both positive and negative impacts on Russia, including withdrawal from World War I and economic policy reforms, but also ushered in repressive one-party rule, a brutal civil war, and intense propaganda efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Positives and Negatives of Lenin's Rule
The period of rule by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks after the 1917 revolution was marked by a series of radical changes in Russian society and governance. Positively, under Lenin's leadership, Russia withdrew from World War I, relieving the nation of the disastrous war's burden. The New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced to address the dire economic situation, allowing some market exchanges and leading to modest improvements in living standards and an artistic and intellectual renaissance.
On the negative side, Russia became a one-party state, which restricted political freedom and debate, leading to a lack of democratic governance. The Bolsheviks' consolidation of power involved a brutal civil war, high unemployment, and a significant drop in industrial output. In addition to these, heavy-handed propaganda and an overarching aim to reshape societal thinking and consciousness were employed to maintain the regime's ideology and position.
Furthermore, debates and struggles against other leftist and socialist factions consumed significant energy that could have been directed at more pressing issues, reflecting a contentious atmosphere within the broader leftist movement. Despite Lenin's personal disapproval, a personality cult developed around him, complicating the political and social dynamics of the time.