IX.Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution.History.

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Raman's Classes.

IX. Chapter 2.History.

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution.

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About the Pages : Questions / Answers

Chapter 2.History.

Socialism in Europe and 

The Russian Revolution.

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Chapter -2

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Glossary/Hard words

Capitalism When the means of production and distribution are owned by individual ones is called capitalism.

Socialism: When the means of production and distribution are owned by state not by individual ones is called socialism.

Suffragette Movement: A movement to give women the right to vote.

Jadidists: Muslim reformers within the Russian empire.

Real wage: Reflects the quantities of goods which the wages will actually buy.

Autonomy: The right to govern themselves.

Nomadism: Life style of those who do not live in one place but move from one area to other to earn their living.

Deported: Forcibly removed from one’s own country.

Exiled: Forced to live away from one’s own country.

Kulaks: Rich farmers of Russia.

Soviet: Council of representatives.

Stalinism: A Russian communist leader Stalin who introduced collectivisation programme in agriculture called collectivisation.

Real wages: Reflects the quantities of goods which the wages will actually buy.

Important dates

1850-1880: Debates over socialism in Russia.

1898: Formation of the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party.

1905: The Bloody Sunday and the Revolution of 1905.

1917:2^nd March –Abdication of the Tsar.

          24^th October-Bolshevik uprising’s in Petrograd.

1918-20: The Civil War.

1919: Formation of Commenter.

1929: Beginning of Collectivisation.

1914: The First World War.

1900: The Socialist Revolutionary Party was formed.

Important personalities

Derozio: Derision was an Anglo-Indian, intellectual, social reformer who invited the Indian young people for healthy and concluding discussion.

Robert Owen: Robert Owen was a leading English manufacturer who sought to build a cooperative community called New Harmony in India.

Louis Blanc: Louis Blanc was such a socialist who wanted to encourage cooperatives and replace capitalist enterprises.

Karl Marx: Karl Marx was a German philosopher during 1818-1883 with his friend and associate Friedrich Engels.

Vladimiir Lenin: He was a revolutionary leader of Russia. He led the Bolshevik Revolution of Russia.

Tsar Nicholas II: He was an emperor of Russia. The Bolshevik Revolution broke out during his reign.

Inside Question Answers.

Q: When did the Russian Revolution take place in Russia?

Ans: The Russian Revolution took place in Russia in 1917 under to phases (a) February Revolution (b) October Revolution

Q: Who were the involved leaders?

Ans: Lenin, Trotsky and Kerensky were the involved leaders in the Russian Revolution.

Q: Who were liberals?

Ans: *Liberals were those people who opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers.

*They wanted to safeguard the rights of individuals against government.

*They argued for a representative, elected parliamentary government.

*They supported a well-trained judiciary .

Brief Question Answers

Q: There were different groups of thinkers in Russia like the liberals, conservation, socialists and radicals read the identify the group?

(I) the past had to be respected.

(ii)Means of production should be controlled by the people.

(iii)They argued for a representative, elected a parliamentary, but did not believe in universal adult franchise.

(iv) The Government should be based on majority.

Ans (I) Conservatives

(ii) Socialistic

(iii)Liberals

 (iv) Radicals.

Q: ‘The liberals were not democrats’. Justify by giving two examples.

Ans: (a) they did not believe infect universal adult franchise, that is, the right of every citizen to vote.

(b) They felt men of property mainly should have the right to vote.

Q: What were the factors responsible for the civil war which broke out in Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917?

Ans: (a) When the Bolshevik ordered land redistribution, the Russian army began to break up because most of the soldiers wished to go home for the redistribution.

(b) Non-Bolshevik socialists, liberals, and supporters of the Tsar condemned the Bolshevik uprising.

(c) In many regions, the Bolshevik colonists brutally massacred local nationalists.

(d) Even most of the non –Russian were not happy.

Q: Why socialists were against private property?

Ans: Socialists were against private property, and saw it as the root of all social ills of the time. Individuals owned the property that gave employment but the propertied were concerned only with personal gain and not with the welfare of those who made the property productive. So if society as a whole rather than single individual controlled property, more attention would be paid to collective social interests. Socialists wanted this change and campaigned for it.

Q: What is meant by ‘October Revolution’?

Ans: It was the revolution which occurred in October 1917. It was led by Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party under the leadership of Lenin. A military Revolutionary Committee was appointed by the Soviet under Leon Trotsky to organise the seizure .The uprising began on 24^th October. Though Prime Minister Kerensky resisted but the seizure was complete within a day. The Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party. In November 1917, the Bolsheviks conducted the elections to the Constituent Assembly, but they failed to gain majority support. In January 1918, the assembly rejected Bolshevik measures and Lenin dismissed the assembly.

Q: Describe any three events leading to the February Revolution of 1917 in Russia.

Ans: (1) First World War: In the First World War, Russia lost more than 7 million soldiers. So there was a discontent among the masses. The war led to the destruction of crops, homes and industries. So over 3 million people become refugees. Russian industry was dependent on other countries, and was cut off from other suppliers of industrial goods. There was shortage of workers as most of the workers were sent to the army.

(2) Impact on industry: The war also had a severe impact on industry. Russia’s own industries were few in number and the country was cut off from other suppliers of industrial goods by the German control of the Baltic Sea.

(3) Strike by workers: In February 1917, food shortages were deeply felt in the workers quarters. The winter was very cold there had been exceptional frost and heavy snow. On 22 February, a lockout took place at a factory on the right bank. The next day, workers in fifty factories called a strike in sympathy.

Q: What were the major changes introduced in industry by Stalin? Explain.

Ans: (1) Industries and banks were nationalised.

(2) The government fixed all prices to promote industrial growth during the first two plans.

(3) Special stress was laid on iron and steel industry.

Long Answer Type Question.

Q: Describe the circumstances which were responsible were responsible for the Russian Revolution?

Ans: (a) Agrarian economy and poor condition of the peasants: At the beginning of the 20^th century, more than 85% of Russian population earned their living from agriculture. Most of the land was owned by rich people. Most of the peasants worked from dawn to dusk with very low wages or share. Most of the peasants were against the rich and nobles

(b) Poor condition of workers: Most of the industry was controlled by the private individuals. In craft units, and small workshops, the working day was sometimes 15 hours. Most of the workers were working and living in poor conditions. Most of the workers were ill-paid.

(c) Unemployment: Unemployment rate was very high .The rich industrialists were exploiting the workers.

(d)  High prices:  Prices of essential goods rose so quickly that real wages declined by 20 

(e)Condition of the women: Most of the women were working in small factory labour force. They were paid less wages, and were forced to long hours. When they launched an agitation they were fired at by the police.

 Q: Explain the impact of the First World War on Russia. How it led to the Russian Revolution? Explain.

Ans: (a) War period: The First World War was fought from 1914-1918. At the initial stage due to anti German sentiments, war was popular.

(b) Loss of Russia: Russia was losing the at fronts. It lost the war against Germany and Austria.

(c) Heavy Causalities: By February 1917 more than 7 million soldiers had been killed. In order to increase the strength of the army, farmers and workers were forcibly recruited to the army.

(d) Destruction of crops and houses: As the army retreated, it destroy the crops and buildings to prevent the enemy from being able to live off the land.

(e) Impact on industry: The war also had a severe impact on industry. Russia own industry were few in number, and the country was cut off from other suppliers of industrial goods by the German control of the Baltic Sea.

Text Book Question Answers

Q: What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?

Ans: Social and Economic Condition

(a)Agrarian economy and poor condition of the peasants: At the beginning of the 20^th century, more than 85% of Russian population earned their living from agriculture. Most of the land was owned by rich people. Most of the peasants worked from dawn to dusk with very low wages or share. Most of the peasants were against the rich and nobles.

(b) Poor condition of workers: Most of the industry was controlled by the private individuals. In craft units, and small workshops, the working day was sometimes 15 hours. Most of the workers were working and living in poor conditions. Most of the workers were ill-paid.

(c) Unemployment: Unemployment rate was very high .The rich industrialists were exploiting the workers.

(d) High prices: Prices of essential goods rose so quickly that real wages declined by 20 %.

(e) Condition of the women: Most of the women were working in small factory labour force. They were paid less wages, and were forced to long hours. When they launched an agitation they were fired at by the police

Political Condition

(a)Autocracy: Tsar Nicholas II, during whose regime the Bolshevik Revolution broke out, was an inefficient and short-sighted person. He was a ruthless ruler having no concern with administration or the welfare of his subjects. The Tsar was dominated by his German wife, Tsarina-Alexandra, who was under great influence of a hypocritical and corrupt saint Rasputin, the Holy Devil.

(b) Different groups: Different types of groups were prevailing in Russia. Liberals, radicals, conservatives and socialists were the most important. Both liberals and conservatives were against the dynastic rule.

(c) Workers organisation: There were many workers organisations. Though all were illegal, but they had an impact on the political system of Russia.

Q: In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?

Ans: (a) No Respect for the nobels-The working class of Russia had no respect for the nobility. Nobles got their power and position through their services to the Tsar, not through local popularity.

(b) In Russia, peasants wanted the land of the nobles to be given to then .Frequently they refused to pay rent, and even murdered landlords.

(c)  Mir's distribution of Land-Russian peasants were different from other European peasants in another way. They pooled their land together periodically and their commune (Mir) divided it according to the needs of the individual families.

Q: Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?

Ans: (a) Revolution of 1905:The Revolution of 1905 had a deep impact on the Russian people.Though the Tsar announced the creation of an elected consultative Parliament or Duma , but he never allowed it to work.

(b) First World War: The First World War broke out in 1914. The Tsar took Russia into the war. This proved fatal, and brought about the Russian autocracy.

(c) Immediate cause:Shortage of food became the immediate cause of the revolution.

Q: Make two lists: one with the main events and the effects of the February Revolution, and the other with the main events and effects of the October Revolution. Write a paragraph on who was involved in each, who were the leaders, and what was the impact of each on soviet history.

Ans: February Revolution

22nd February- A lockout at a factory

Demonstrations thronged the center of the capital and curfew was imposed

25 the Feburary - Suspension of Duma

27th Feburary- Formation of Soviet

2nd March- Tsar leaves power and provisional government formed

The February marked an end to the autocratic Tsarist rule in Russia and paved the way for an elected government .There was no leader of this movement. The revolution had no political party as it's forefront . It was led by the people themselves

. Petrograd had brought down the monarchy and thus gained a significant places in Soviet history. Trade unions grew in number.

October Revolution

16 October formation of Military Revolutionary Committee

24 October pro government troops called in to deal with the situation

Military Revolutionary Committee controls the city by night and ministrs surrender

The Bolshevik take control of the power

The leader of the October Revolution was Lenin and his subordinates. This event gave way for complete control of the Bolsheviks over Russia and the beginning of a single party rule .Trotskii had involved the masses who supported these leaders. It mark the beginning of Lenin's rule over the Soviet with the Bolsheviks under his guidance.

Q: What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?

Ans: (a) The Bolsheviks government nationalised the industeries.

(b) Land was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of nobility.

(c) Enforced the partitions of large house.

(d)Old titles of aristocracy were banned.

(e) The entire army was reorganised.

(f) Though the Bolsheviks failed to win the majority in the elections in 1918, they remained in power

(g) All other parties were banned.

(h) Secret Police service was started to crush the opponents.

(i) New uniforms were designed for the army and officials.

Q: Write a few lines to show what you know about:

(a)Kulaks: The rich farmers of Russia were known as kulaks.

(b)The Duma: It was the elected Consultative Parliament of Russia .It was created by the Tsar after the 1905 Revolution. But soon, it was dismissed.

(c) Women Workers between 1900-1930: Women made up 31% of the factory labour force. They were paid less than men. They participate in all the major strikes in 1905 Revolution.

(d) Liberals: They wanted a nation which tolerated all religions. Liberals also opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers. They wanted to safeguard the rights of individuals against governments.

(e) Stalin’s collectivisation programme: The collectivisation policy was introduced by Stalin who came to power after the death of Lenin.

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Chapter 3.Map Work.

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Map Skills.3. History. Class IX. Chapter 2.Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution.