In 1917 many events were happening that were changing the world. World War I in Europe between the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, England and Russia) was fully underway, and it was during this year that the battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendale were fought. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson cutoff diplomatic negotiations with Germany. There was also another major event that occured during this year: the Russian Revolution. First, in Feburary of 1917 the people of Russia overthrew Czar Nicholas II and ended the Russian monarchy. Later that year in October, the Bolshevik party led by Vladimir Lenin revolted against the temporary rulers and overthrew the standing government. Lenin and the Bolshevik (Communist) party then established a new communist state and ruled "for the worker".

Therefore, without the October Revolution of 1917 the USSR could not have become a superpower after World War II. There were five major factors that influenced the way in which Russia became a superpower after World War II. First, the economic changes that occurred because of the Russian Revolution. Secondly, the lack of opposition to Lenin's government, which was caused by the Russian Revolution. Third, the USSR, after the Russian Revolution, changed from a country supporting the upper and middle classes into a country that favoured the workers, thus furthering Russia's industry. Fourthly, the way that the Russian Revolution affected the everyday life of the people; the revolution made the average person's everyday life more work filled and laborious, thus allowing for more production to occur, this furthered Russia's power. The Russian Revolution also put Russia into the world's forefront, making it gain global notice, which was the final step towards becoming a superpower after World War II. It is because of these changes that occurred because of the Russian Revolution that the USSR was able to become a superpower after World War II.

After the revolution that instated Lenin and the communist party as rulers of Russia the USSR was able to become economically sound, thus leading to the USSR becoming the superpower it was during the Cold War and after World War II. Prior to the revolution towns faced economic devastation as towns were half empty and hungry. There was also rioting, industrail strikes, and monetary inflation. Industrial production before Lenin's revolution was down to 15% of the 1914 level. Railways were also broken down in Russia. Industrial workers dropped from 6 million to 1.5 million by 1917. However, all of this changed after the Communist Party took over Russia. Lenin instated the New Economic Plan after seeing how the country had failed without capitalism. (Fitzpatrick, 87) Lenin had a great understanding that complete communism would not work in the Russian economy as the economy was too far in debt to be saved without the return of private industry. (Ibid) Therefore, Lenin created the NEP, which stated that; 1) all land was owned by the state, 2) free trade was allowed for small producers, and 3) state capitalism was permitted in order to attract foreign trade with the fully capitalist nations. The NEP took control over all large scale industry while allowing small businesses (under 10 employees) and farms to operate privately. The NEP also allowed the privatized farmers to increase production. (Webber, 13)