The Russian Revolution in 1917 was significant as it led to the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of the first communist state under the Bolsheviks. It fundamentally altered the political landscape, inspired worldwide revolutionary movements, and set the stage for the Cold War. The revolution brought about widespread reforms in land distribution and workers' rights while leading to a brutal civil war. The ideology of Marxism-Leninism became a model for various socialist movements globally, promoting the idea of a proletarian-led state and impacting international relations for decades to come.