In this article the global role and social and political implications of the Russian revolution are considered. The revolution of 1917 is analyzed as the important stage in Russian and global development and as the special way of modernization and forced industrialization. It is demonstrated that the Russian revolution and the formation of the Soviet Union were necessary for destruction of the colonial system, for the formation of independent states in China and India and for social and political development of the Western societies. It is concluded that disintegration of the Soviet Union has led to many global problems including rapid growth of social inequality, very dangerous military conflicts and the spread of international terrorism.