The Russian Revolution of October 1917 can be seen as the first great surge of the future USSR. ... " Some historians stress that NEP was a step backwards in terms of development, Richard Pipes for example argues that Lenin's introduction of NEP could be described as a declaration of defeat, suggesting that "Lenin repeatedly had to defend the NEP and insist that the revolution was on course. Deep in his heart, however, he was haunted by a sense of failure"[6] Pipes argues that NEP was a step backwards from true communism, pushing Russia further away in terms of its develop...

• Word Count: 1841
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Through sheer force of personality alone, Lenin was able to push forward the revolution. ... His appropriate sense of timing, with action planned for the eve of the second All-Russian Congress o Soviets, led to the storming of the Winter Palace on the 25th of October 1917 and the subsequent recognition of the Council of People's Commissars (with Lenin as chairman) by the Congress of Soviets. ... The end of the revolution does not indicate the end of all troubles. ... Despite Lenin's attempts to establish a socialist Russia, the adverse conditions he faced gave him little or no re...

• Word Count: 1454
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Another interpretation is that it was an emergency measure to deal with the economic crisis caused by war, revolution and civil war (Malle 1985). ... The agricultural production in Russia declined since the outset of the First World War, and those who had food, hoarded it. ... This was evident in Stone Age groups when people had no concept of private property and there were no social classes. ... Given Lenin's passionate desire for revolution and to implement socialism it may be argued that at the time Lenin and other Bolsheviks believed that they were establishing socialism. ... Pipes ar...

• Word Count: 2081
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate