How significant was the role of individuals in the making of modern Russia 1856-1964

The influence of individuals in the making of modern Russia fluctuated recurrently in the years 1856-1964. T, this was mainly due to the instability of the government and the consequent constraints aswell as outside pressures that were placed on the leaders. Despite this, certain individuals were able to exert a greater influence than others. However, the circumstances in which the indivudals acted and the poltical structure which allowed for it influenced the making of modern Russia, more than the individual.
Individuals had an short term and long term impacts. Lenin is an example of an individual who had both. Because he was an undisputed Leader he was in aprime position to make significant changes. One such change would be the introduction of NEP. He believed that “economically and politically speaking the New Economic Policy completely ensures to us the possibility of building the foundation of a socialist economy.” NEP was unpopular within the Bolshevik party and so the fact that Lenin went through with it, shows his impact as an individual. Similarly ,before Lenin, Witte had been significant by reforming the economic policies of the Tsars by improving the Russian currency aswell as making the Russian market for accessible for foreign enterprises. This had long term significance as investments were more likely to come to Russia and thereby strengthen the Russian economy. All Tsars attempted some form of economic reforms, however in comparison to Lenin and stalin they did not succeed. From this it can be argued that individuals did play a role in the shaping of Russia, however it was very much dependant on the time an d situation in which they found themselves.
One factor that was more important than the individual was the political structure in Russia. Alexander II,