Russian & Eurasian Studies 244 - Red Star Over Russia

'The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 marked the coming of totalitarianism to Russia. Led first by Lenin and then by Stalin, the country went through the most brutal civil war, purges, World War II, and the first stages of cold war. This period also saw immense social change and sweeping economic transformation. What were the causes of totalitarianism in Russia? How did the regime function? What were the major landmarks of Russian history in the period 1917-1953?'