Who influenced Lenin with his writings on communism?

The writings of Karl Marx significantly influenced Lenin's ideas and the development of communist theory. Marx's theories on class struggle, historical materialism, and the critique of capitalism laid the foundation for Lenin's interpretation and implementation of Marxism in Russia. Lenin adopted and adapted Marx's ideas to suit the conditions of early 20th-century Russia, emphasizing the need for a vanguard party to lead the proletariat in the revolution. This adaptation was crucial for the success of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, as Lenin sought to create a socialist state based on Marxist principles.

Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith, although influential philosophers in their own right, do not have the same direct connection to Lenin's communist ideology. Hobbes focused on social contract theory and the necessity of a strong sovereign, Rousseau emphasized individual freedom and the general will, while Smith is known for his ideas on capitalism and free markets. These differing philosophical viewpoints did not significantly inform Lenin's interpretation of Marxist thought.