What if the Russian Revolution had never happened? (Nov 2017)
What if the Russian Revolution had never happened? (November 2017)
On the 2017 Anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, there are many articles on the revolution in the news. This New York Times article considers what might have happened had the Revolution never taken place.
- Which historical events does the author credit the Revolution has having caused?
- What does the author argue would not have happened if the Bolshevik Revolution had not taken place?
Looking at what might have happened (or not happened) is known as counter-factual history.
In pairs discuss whether it is a useful exercise for historians to consider counter-factual history. What are the arguments against taking a counter-factual approach?
You may also want to consider this article from The Guardian newspaper in your discussions.