World-historical significance of the October revolution

This was accompanied by a re-evaluation of the significance of the event itself, which happened in October 1917, from unambiguously progressive to almost completely negative. It should be noted that this radical reevaluation of the essence, significance, and consequences of the October events of 1917 occurred not as a result of new fundamental theoretical works or serious scientific discussions that would reinterpret this historical phenomenon, but mainly as a result of changes in public sentiment under the influence of the political struggle that unfolded in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s-early 1990s, and especially after its collapse [1, p. 56].

As you know, the essence of revolution as a social phenomenon consists in a deep, qualitative change in the state of society, in a sharp, abrupt transition to a new stage of its development.

A real revolution sharply polarizes society, drawing large masses of people into the maelstrom of political struggle (often amounting to civil war), brings new classes or social groups to power, changes the form of ownership, that is, performs an essential transformation of society, actually changing its basic characteristics. At the time of perestroika and up to the present time, the question is being discussed: what did the October revolution bring to the people, a tragedy or a blessing? Of course, it is impossible and unnecessary to answer the question as clearly as it is put on television and in the press today. No, and there can't be a single event in history that would be a disaster or a blessing for everyone.

It is always necessary to put this question in a slightly different way, whether it is a tragedy or a blessing for someone in particular, what class or class, or an individual.

The October revolution was a natural stage, prepared by many prerequisites. The first alternative-the military dictatorship of Kornilov was destroyed by the Provisional government, which did not want to allow the restoration of the monarchy or the rule of a single leader. The second alternative, represented by the slow democratic development within the framework of the Provisional government's policy, was impossible due to its failure to fulfill the most important requirements and tasks (getting out of the war, getting out of their economic and political crisis, solving land and food issues). The Bolsheviks ' victory was facilitated by such factors as their well-organized agitation, their policy of discrediting the Provisional government, the radicalization of the masses, and the growing authority of the Bolsheviks, which allowed them to use the most favorable situation to seize power. The majority of the population supported the new government, as the first steps were the announcement of the immediate transfer of land to the use of the peasants, the end of the war and the convocation of the Constituent Assembly

In order not to write about the October revolution today, the fact remains that it was thanks to it that the people first felt them- selves the master of their own destiny, the subject of the country's political life, felt their strength and, most importantly, believed in the feasibility of the age-old dream of building a society based on the principles of equality and social justice. That is why, despite the unprecedented suffering and sacrifice that fell to his lot in the twentieth century, he was able to implement in a surprisingly short period of time a Grand transformation in the sphere of social relations, economy, and culture [2, p. 78].

For the first time, not only in the history of the Russian state, but also in the history of mankind, the principles of justice and equality of citizens in society were implemented – albeit not quite consistently and, as it turned out, temporarily. In history, there has never been a society in which for several generations of people (that is, for tens of millions of Soviet citizens) money was not the most important social value. It was during the Civil war that the Bolsheviks created a centralized party apparatus, which soon began to control all spheres of life in the country, and the party itself, increasingly crushing the state apparatus, gradually moved away from one of the most attractive slogans of the October revolution – the establishment of real democracy, that is, a higher level of democracy than in capitalist countries.

After some time, as we know, the country's rapid industrialization began (largely at the expense of the peasantry), the collectivization of agriculture was carried out mainly by violent methods, and a campaign of large-scale political repression was launched. But all this was later, and by no means "programmed" by the Bolsheviks and those who followed them, in the autumn of 1917. By the way, in this turn of events, or rather the internal development of the October revolution – from the point of view of General theory of revolutions – nothing extraordinary, because in virtually every revolution has its "Thermidor", its descending line, losing many of the achievements of the revolution won at its rising line of development.

Unfortunately, the October revolution in Russia was no exception in this respect, which, however, does not detract from its great historical significance.

Abroad, in many scientific studies and University textbooks on history, in General works on world history or on the history of Western civilization (Western society), the events of the October revolution and the Civil war in Russia, however, as well as the construction of a new society in the USSR, have always been given due attention

Any unbiased Western historian can understand how much influence the October revolution had on the course of world history in the twentieth century in General and on the fate of Western civilization in particular. Authors of the book "World civilizations. Their history and culture", telling about the "revolution of 1917 in Russia", recognize: "The results of the Soviet revolution were profound."

American authors K. Findlay and J. Rothney, in his interesting compiled the book "the World of the twentieth century" at the beginning of the fourth Chapter called her "the most important revolution of the early twentieth century" which impacted both on the history of Russia and world history, and through several pages specify "among the most influential revolutions of the twentieth century".

We must not forget that this event undermined the secular foundations of tsarist Russia and radically changed the vector of its historical development, giving rise to the creation of a completely new society [3, p. 8].

The October revolution marked the beginning of profound, all-encompassing social changes around the world. Free was transferred to the landed estates in the hands of working peasants, and the factories, mines, Railways – in the hands of the workers, making them public property.

The Soviet state's revolutionary exit from the war and its declared policy of peace and cooperation among peoples were of world-historical significance. "For the first time in the international arena, a state emerged that put forward the great slogan of peace and began to implement new principles in relations between peoples and countries. Humanity has found a reliable bulwark in its struggle against aggressive wars, for peace and security of peoples".

The October revolution, breaking the chains of national and colonial oppression in

Russia, caused a powerful national liberation movement against colonial slavery among the oppressed peoples of the world. This marked the beginning of a deep crisis in the entire colonial system of imperialism.

The world-historical significance of the great October revolution also lies in the fact that it was a classic proletarian revolution, the main features of which were repeated and should be repeated in the socialist revolutions of other countries. She pointed out the ways, discovered the forms and methods of revolu- tionary transformation, which have acquired an international character. The experience of the great October socialist revolution is an inexhaustible Treasury of the theory and practice of the revolutionary struggle, a model of scientific strategy and tactics.

As a result of the victory of the socialist revolution in Russia, the world split into two systems – capitalist and socialist. After 1917, the struggle between these two systems determines the entire course of world history.