In this reading, Lenin exploited circumstances more than he created them, relying on reputation, projected authority, and subordinates to consolidate power. Blocking his journey back to Russia would not repair the shortages, institutional weakness, or political crisis that made revolution possible. With the Baltic blocked and Archangel inadequate, the search for a plausible logistical intervention moves south to Russia's Black Sea ports. That makes control of the Dardanelles the counterfactual's smallest useful divergence.
Notable Point · 9:25-11:33
Stopping Lenin does not remove the revolutionary crisis
Preventing Lenin's return would remove an opportunistic leader, not the conditions driving revolution, so the scenario still turns to Russia's blocked supply routes.