If there is a single "most important event" in the history of the 20th century, it is surely the Russian Revolution of October 25 / November 7, 1917.
You should read the two Wikipedia pages to inform yourself about these events. One is on the Russian Revolution and includes a short social and political history of pre-Revolutionary Russia. The second is on the Bolshevik Revolution, the events we are most concerned with.
Inevitably, they reflect an anticommunist, anti-Bolshevik bias to some degree. But they are informative nonetheless.
Study the two chapters -- chapters 4 and 5 -- from John Reed's famous book Ten Days That Shook The World, and two chapters (1 and 5) from Vladimir Lenin's equally famous work The State and Revolution.
John Reed, an American socialist writer and reporter, was in Petrograd in October 1917. He had good political instincts and spent a lot of time with the Bolsheviks who, he thought, were the party most likely to do something. And they did -- and Reed got a first-hand look at the seizure of power by Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party. He was both the main theorist of the revolution and the main practical leader and organizer of it. Lenin remains one of the giant figures of world history in the 20th century.
The Wikipedia articles give us an introduction to the historical "facts" (from one viewpoint). John Reed's book gives us the viewpoint of a sympathetic American observer "on the spot". Lenin gives us the inspiring account of the goal of communism, and how it relates to capitalism.
All pro-working class social protest in the world, and certainly that in the United States, took place (and still does take place) in reference to the Russian Revolution, one way or another. Its importance cannot be overestimated.
Take your time to read this material and digest it as thoroughly as you can.
Writing Assignment: Write 350-400 words on these three readings: Wikipedia (2 articles); John Reed (2 chapters); Lenin (two chapters).
Pick out the main points in each of these readings. Write about 150 words, or a little more, on each.
Email to me and to your group, by the deadline the night before class.
Bring a printed copy of all of these readings -- all six -- to class with you. In class we will divide them up among the discussion groups for further consideration. You must have copies with you!