The Russian Revolution: The Balance Sheet of October

“No matter what one thinks of Bolshevism, it is undeniable that the Russian Revolution is one of the greatest events in human history, and the rule of the Bolsheviki a phenomenon of worldwide importance.” --John Reed in Ten Days that Shook the World There are moments in world history which represent decisive turning-points. We are living at just such a juncture. Around the world, the working masses are rising up against the chains of capitalist oppression. But in order to understand the present and prepare for the struggles of the future, we must study the past, the collective experience of the world working class. Whether you are in favor or against the October Revolution, there can be no doubt whatsoever that this single event changed the course of world history in an unprecedented way. The entire twentieth century was dominated by its consequences. This fact is recognized even by the most conservative pundits and those hostile to the October Revolution. So just what did happen in t