Step 1: Background of the Russian Revolution
- The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a major political event that led to the overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of a communist government.
- It occurred in two phases: the February Revolution (which toppled Tsar Nicholas II) and the October Revolution (which brought the Bolsheviks to power).
Step 2: Leadership of Lenin
- The Bolshevik Party, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, played the central role in the October Revolution of 1917.
- Lenin’s leadership and ideology of Marxism-Leninism paved the way for the creation of the Soviet Union.
Step 3: Analyzing the options
- (A) Vladimir Lenin: Correct, he led the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution.
- (B) Nikita Khrushchev: Came to power in the 1950s, decades later.
- (C) Leonid Brezhnev: Soviet leader from 1964–1982, not related to 1917.
- (D) Mikhail Gorbachev: Last Soviet leader in the 1980s, not connected to the revolution.
Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, the Russian Revolution of 1917 took place under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin.
\[
\boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (A) Vladimir Lenin}}
\]