Stalin expressed himself in his articles in a very outspoken, opinionated way - which gained him attention. He helped to organize robberies of government transports in Georgia to provide the Bolsheviks with money. In 1907, he began to exploit workers in the oil industry so that they would provide the Bolsheviks with support. He worked hard to revolutionize Russia over the next four years, while he ran from exile and the police. Stalin served as a delegate from Caucasus to the first national conference of Bolsheviks, in Finland. This is where he first met Lenin, who became a lifelong friend. He continued working on the national level at the general congresses of the Russian Social Democratic party in Stockholm (1906) and London (1907).
In January 1912, Stalin was exiled to Vologoda. Meanwhile, Lenin and his followers decided to elect a new committee to rule. Stalin was not elected, however, Lenin put in a good word for him. Lenin even suggested Stalin to be a leader for some underground work to be done in Russia. In March, Stalin escaped and helped run a newspaper for the Bolsheviks. He worked by Lenin's side, writing under his supervision about the Bolshevik's stand on issues. But, old ways never change and he was arrested and deported to Siberia in 1913. At this point in time Stalin was just were he wanted to be. Stalin was happy to be in Siberia as now he was in a place on the inside and he was ready to start running things his way. .
Returning to Russia in 1917, this time Stalin played his cards right. He kept a low profile but he was making changes. He joined the editorial board of Pravda. He was chairman at a national conference of Bolshevik delegates. He acted with caution urging people to take baby steps in this revolution. Then he was elected as one of nine members to the party's central committee. He backed Lenin up during the great party debates in September and October, urging Bolshevik take full control of power.
