The significance of the Russian Revolution of 1917 lies in its transformation of Russia from an imperial monarchy to a socialist state. The revolution comprised two main events: the February Revolution, which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and the October Revolution, where the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power. This upheaval dismantled the existing social and political structures, leading to the rise of the Soviet Union. The revolution had global repercussions, inspiring communist movements worldwide and significantly influencing international relations throughout the 20th century, ultimately leading to the Cold War.