What was your life's turning point?

How far was the fall of the Provisional Gov. Oct 1917 the most important turning point concerning Russian Gov?

• How far do you agree that the fall of the Provisional Government in October 1917 was the most important turning point in the development of Russian Government in the period 1855-1956? Why was it such an important turning point? Why do other turning points such as Death of Stalin and the 1905 Revolution compete as other important turning points?

• Answer:

  The fall of the provisional gov't was significant as it marked the final end of Tsarism and the crushing of any potential for democratic gov't in Russia. It led to the civil war and then the Bolshevik victory which led to their establishment of a Communist dictatorship as the form of gov't in Russia for the next 70 years. The death of Stalin was significant as it led to uprisings in Eastern Europe e.g. Hungary 1956, and some minor reforms within the Communist system (Khrushchev's thaw) which were essentially minor liberalisations rather than major changes as the basic system of government remained the same. The 1905 revolution fizzled out rather than create any changes at all, as Tsarism remained in power, so it is now regarded as a 'dress rehearsal' for the events of 1917. I would regard the fall of the Provisional Gov't as the most important turning point of the three as it resulted in the greatest degree of change.