In 1917 revolutionary fervour swept through Russia, ending centuries of
imperial rule and instigating political and social changes that would
lead to the formation of the Soviet Union. Arising out of proletariat
discontent with the Tsarist autocracy and Lenin's proclaimed version of
a Marxist ideology, the revolutionary period saw a complete overhaul of
Russian politics and society and led directly to the ensuing civil war.
The Soviet Union eventually became the world's first communist state and
the events of 1917 proved to be one of the turning-points in world
history, setting in motion a chain of events which would change the
entire course of the twentieth century. Geoffrey Swain provides a
concise yet thorough overview of the revolution and the path to civil
war. By looking, with fresh perspectives, on the causes of the
revolution, as well as the international response, Swain provides a new
interpretation of the events of 1917, published to coincide with the
100th anniversary of the revolution.