Fanni Kaplan, a politically motivated individual who opposed Bolshevik policies, attempted to assassinate Vladimir Lenin, the key leader of the Bolshevik Party, in a violent act that forever marked the landscape of early Soviet politics. The assassination attempt took place in Moscow, effectively shifting the government’s approach toward any groups or individuals they perceived as threats. Kaplan's decision to shoot Lenin stemmed from her belief that the Bolsheviks had betrayed the ideals of the October Revolution and her desire for a different direction for Russia. Lenin was seriously injured but survived the attack, which resulted in significant ramifications for both him and the nascent Soviet state.

The assassination attempt on Lenin came shortly after the killing of another prominent Bolshevik, Moisei Uritsky, who was murdered on August 17, 1918. Uritsky’s assassination by a different individual created an atmosphere of paranoia and fear among Bolshevik leaders. Shortly after Lenin’s injury, the Bolsheviks responded with the Red Terror decree, marking a turning point in their policies toward dissent and opposition. This campaign legitimized the use of extreme violence, including executions and imprisonment, against political opponents, including perceived enemies among the Socialist factions.

As Lenin recuperated from his injuries, the government tightened control over the populace and escalated its efforts to consolidate power during the chaotic environment of the Russian Civil War. The Red Terror intensified the political atmosphere in Russia, leading to a vicious cycle of violence and repression that would characterize the Bolshevik regime. This period indicated a clear pivot toward authoritarian governance as Bolshevik leaders sought to root out perceived threats to their rule, establishing a legacy of state-sponsored violence that shaped Soviet politics for decades to come.