Socialism in Europe and The Russian Revolution

Std-9 History Chapter _2. Part_1

1.What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905 ?

SOCIAL CONDITIONS

1. The noble and upper classes enjoyed all the political rights and one third of the total land

was in the hands of big landlords.

2. No taxes were levied on upper and noble classes.

3. Land hunger of peasants formed the major social problem in Russia.

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

1. The economic condition of workers and farmers was miserable.

2. Because of agricultural backwardness, there was a famine like condition.

3. Russia's industry remained backward due to lack of capital and technology.

POLITICAL CONDITIONS

1.Tsar Nicholas II was an autocratic ,inefficient and weak ruler who ignored the public welfare.

2. Different groups such as liberals, radicals, conservatives and socialists were prevailing in

Russia. Socialists wanted that means of production should be e controlled by the

government.

3. There were many worker's organisations though all were illegal but they had an impact on the
Political system of Russia.

2.ln what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe

before 1917 ?

Compared to the condition of the people of Europe, Russian people ,especially the working

class like the farmers and the factory workers was very deplorable.

1. Working class of Russia had no respect for the Nobility. Nobles got their powers and

position through their services to the Tsar and not through local popularity. This was unlike

France where peasants respected nobles and fought for them.

not afford two squares of meal a day on the other hand agriculture was transforming in

other parts of Europe and farmers were much better off.

3. Russian peasants were different from other European peasants in other way. They

pooled their land periodically and their commune divided it according to the needs

of individual families.

4.Workers in England, France and USA were better paid ,well looked after and had the right
to form their unions.

5. However workers in Russia had been deprived of such privileges and rights.

They were exploited by both the foreign capitalists as well as Russian capitalists.

3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917 ?

The following points present the background of the miserable condition of the working

population of Russia, which was also the main reason for the collapse of the Tsarist

autocracy in 1917.

1.The peasants worked as serfs on the land and much of their produce went into the

hands ofthe landlords and the privileged classes. Land hunger among farmers was a

dominant factor. Farmers always refused to pay rent due to oppressive policies.

2. The condition of the workers was also very deplorable.they could not form any trade unions and
political parties to express their grievances most industries were run by the private

Industrialists.Many times these workers did not get even minimum fixed wages and their

working hours were from 12 to 15 hours a day.

3. The autocratic rule of the Year had become quite inefficient he was a self-willed corrupt and
oppressive ruler who never cared for the welfare of the people of the country.

4.The teachings of Karl Marx also encouraged the people to raise a standard revolt.

5.The Tsar's participation and defeat in the First World War proved to be the last straw

for the Tsarist autocracy.

4.What were the main changes brought about by Bolsheviks immediately after October Revolution ?
 The main changes brought by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution are

as follows_

1. WITHDRAWAL FROM FIRST WORLD WAR

On November 1917 the Congress of Soviets called for a peace and Russia withdrew from

the First World War.

2 . ABOLITION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY

Private property in the means of production ,was abolished. Land and other means of

production was declared the property of entire nation.

3. NATIONALISATION OF INDUSTRIES

The control of industries was given to the workers .All the banks ,insurance companies ,

large industries ,mines ,water ,transport and railways were nationalised.

4. EQUALITY OF NATIONALITIES

The equality of all the nationalities in the USSR was recognised in the constitution framed in 1924. A
declaration of rights of people was issued confirming the rights of self-determination.

5. Write a few lines on the following_

A.KULAKS- They were well- to -do peasants of Russia. By 1927- 28 the towns of Soviet Russia were
facing an acute problem of grain supplies. Kulaks were thought to be partlyresponsible for this.Also to
develop modern farms and run them along industrial lines the Party under the leadership of Stalin
thought, it was necessary to eliminate kulaks.

B.THE DUMA_Throughout the 1905 Revolution ,the creation of an elected consultative parliament in
Russia was permitted by the Tsar .This consultative parliament in Russia was known as the Duma.

C.WOMEN WORKERS BETWEEN 1900 AND 1930_ Women participated in both, the Russian Revolution
of 1905 and the February Revolution of 1917 to improve the condition of Russia and shape its
future.women workers made up to 31 % of the factory labour force by 1914 but their wages were less
compared to men.

Women shared double form of responsibilities ,they took care of their duties at home ,took care of their
children and worked in the factories as well. They were active participants of the country and inspired
their male co_workers too.

D.THE LIBERALS_ 1.Those people who wanted a nation which tolerated all religions ,were known as
liberals in Russia.
 2.Their main motive was to safeguard the rights of the individuals against the government.

3. They also opposed the dominating power of the dynastic rulers .

4.They argued for a representative ,elected ,parliamentary government subject to laws.

5. They wanted an independent judiciary but disagreed with the idea of Universal Adult Franchise and
voting rights of women.

6. What was collectivisation policy? Why was this policy introduced in Russia ?

The policy of collectivisation was introduced by Stalin after coming to power.

1. It refers to setting up of collective farms.

2.Under this policy Kulaks were eliminated and their land was taken away from them and was
converted into state _owned farms.

3.The main reason for setting of these farms was the shortage of grain supplies.

4.It was argued that grain shortage was due to the small holdings and these small -sized farms could
not be cultivated on modern lines.

This policy was introduced in Russia to develop modern farms and run them along industrial lines
with farm machinery .It was imperative to do away with Kulaks and establish state-owned large farms in
order to increase production.