The Russian Revolution of 1917 brought a communist government into power in Russia, which had a significant impact on world history. Supporters of the Soviet Union viewed the October Revolution as a glorious event, and participation in the Revolution was seen as a badge of honor. Whether Joseph Stalin played an important role in the revolution has been debated over the years. In this lesson, students analyze several documents to answer the question: What was Stalin’s role in the October Revolution?
Image: Print depicting the February and October Revolutions in Russia, circa 1917. From the Library of Congress.