2

Socialism in Europe and fhe

Russian Revolution
Chapter Irganiser
Conditions in Russía before 1905

Social conditions Economic conditions Political conditions

Popdation was agiadurist Bad period economically Political parties were illegal
2 Liberals' ldeology

A
ration shosld They were not They wanted an elected
tclerate all relijons dermocrats Parliarmentary government
3 Radicals' ldeology

Governnent should be based Were not in favour of In favour of women

on majority of its country's private property voting rights
population

Conservatives' ldeology

Initially, they resisted Later, they started accepting change

change provided it should be slow

Important Aspects of a Socialist Society

Industries and Centralised Rapid construction Extended

banks were planning was and industrialisation school system
nationalised introduced started developed

(261
 27
Socalism in Europe and the Rusian Revolution Hstos

6. April Theses Includes

War should be Banks should be Land should be

ended nationalised transiered to the
peasants

Chapter at a Glance
1. Lberals wanteda nation which tolerated aleigions. But, they opposed uncontrolled power of
dynastic nulers They wanted to safeguard the rights of individuals against governments
2. Radicals wanted a nation in which government was based on the majority of a country's
population. They were not against the eistence of private property but disliked concentration
of property in the hands of a few
3. Conservatives had been generally opposing the idea of change. By the nineteenth century they
accepted that some changes were inevitable but believed that the past had to be respected.
4. By the mid-nineteenth century in Europe, socialism was a well known body of ideas that
attracted widespread attention.
5. be
Lenin decared that the war be brought to adose, land be transfered to the peasants, and banks
nationalised. These three demands were Lenin's April Theses
6. The secret police (called the Cheka first, and later OGPU and NKVD) punished those who
criticised the Bolsheviks.
7. On 16 October, 1917, Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to agree
to a socialist seizure of power.
8. Stalin believed that rich peasants and traders in the countryside were holding stocks in the hope
of higher prices.
9. Peasants worked on the land, and the kolkhoz profit was shared. Enraged peasants resisted the
authorities and destroyed their livestock
10. Stalin's government allowed some independent cultivation, but treated such cultivators
unsympathetically.
11. Stalin and his sympathisers charged these critics with conspiracy against socialism.
were made throughout the country, and by 1939, over 2 million people were inAccusations
prisons or
labour camps.

Important Keywords
1, Suffragette Movement :A movement to give women the right to
vote.
2. Jadidists : Muslim reformers within the Russian empire.
3. Nomadism : Lifestyle of those who do not live in one place but move
another to earn their living.
from one place to
4. Autocracy : A country that is ruled by one person who has the
complete power.
5. Real wage : Reflects the quantities of goods which the wages will actualy buy.
6. Autonomy: The right to govern themselves.
7. Deported : Forcibly removed from one's own country.
8. Exiled: Forced to live away one's own country.
9. Budeonovka : The soviet hat which Lenin introduced for the soldiers.
30
HisTORY Future-track : Social ScienceX
(oi) In many factories women led the way to strikes. This came to be called the

International Women's Day.

Events and Effects of Revolution of October 1917:
(B) Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks grew,
conflict between the
() As the
Provisional Government would set up a dictatorship.
Lenin feared the
September 1917, Lenin started discussions for an uprising against the
(i) In
Bolshevik supporters in the army, Soviets and factories were
government.
brought together. persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and the
October,
On 16th Party
(ii) Bolshevik to agree to aLenin
1917, socialist seizure of power. AMilitary Revolutionary
appointed by the Soviet under Leon Trotskii to organise the
Committee was kept a secret.
seizure. The date of the event was
on 24th October. Sensing trouble, Prime Minister Kerensl.
(iv) The uprising began At dawn, military men loyal to the
had left the city to summon troops.
Provisional Government seized the buildings telephone of two Bolshevik newspanere
Pro-government troops were sent to takeover and telegraph offices
and to protect the Winter Palace.
the beginning of Lenin's rule over the Soviot
(u) The October Revolution marked established in Russia.
The first communist regime was
nationalised in November 1917.
(vi) Most industry and banks were
What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately
Q.5.
after the October Revolution ?
immediately after the October
Ans. The main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks
Revolution were as follows:
new government.
() Decree on Peace was the first important announcement of the
to open negotiations
Aproclamation was issued to all people and belligerent statesRussia concluded an
for a just peace without annexations and indemnities. Germany later.
armistice ending the war, though formal peace was signed with
on land
(ii) The second was the decree on land. It abolished private property rights
and declared it the property of the entire nation. Labour was made compulsory for
all and economic exploitation by capitalists and landlords came to an end.
(ii) The control of industries came in the hands of the shop committees of workers. All
the banks and insurance companies, large industries, mines, water transports and
railways were nationalised.
(iv) A Declaration of the Rights of People was issued which confered the right of self
determination upon all nationalities.
(u) Banks and industries were nationalised.
Q.6. Write a few lines to show what you know about :
() Kulaks
() The Duma
(ii)) Women workers between 1900 and 1930
 31
Socialisn in Europe and the Russian Revolution HisTORY
(iv) The Liberals
(o) Stalin's collectivisation programme.
Russia. During the period
Ans. () Kulaks : It was a name for well-to-do peasants of thealong industrial lines with
run them
of Stalin, to develop modern farms, andeliminate
machinery, it was considered necessary to 'Kulaks'
by the Isar
(i) Duma : It was an elected consultative Parliament, which was created
during the 1905 Revolution in Russia.
industrialisation
(Hi) Women workers between 1900 and 1930 : In Russia, modern brought
started late than the other European countries. But, this economictoactivity
women to factories along with men and children also. They had work for long
hours and used to get poor wages. Unemployment was common among them,
especially during times of lowdemand for industrial goods.
(a) Most women worked in their farms and also worked as landless labourers on the
farms of nobles and the Church. They generally inspired their male co-workers.
(b) On January 1905, when male workers took a peaceful mass demonstration,
their wives too participated in it and they faced atrocities of the government
troops along with male labourers and their own children.
(c) They joined trade unions and political organizations. They helped the male
workers in both-the February and October Revolution. After the introduction
of new constitution in USSR, the women workers were given equal political,
social and economic rights.
(iv) The Liberals :
(a) One of the groups of people of Europe who looked to change society during
eighteenth and nineteenth century were liberals. Liberals wanted a nation
which tolerated all religions. At that time, European states usually discriminated
among religions and were in favour of particular religions.
(b) Liberals also opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers and wanted to
safeguard the rights of individuals against governments.
(c) They argued in favour of a representative, elected parliamentry government,
subject to laws interpreted by a well-trained judiciary that was fully impartial,
independent of rulers and government officials.
(0) Stalin, who headed the party after the death of Lenin, introduced firn emergency
measures. He believed that rich peasants and traders in the countryside were
holding stocks in the hope of higher prices. Stalin felt that collectivisation would
solve the problem of shortage.
(a) From 1929, the Party forced all peasants to cultivate in collective farms
(kolkhoz).
(b) The bulk of land and implements were transferred to the ownership of collective
farms.
(c) Peasants worked on the land, and the kolkhoz profit was shared. Enraged
peasants resisted the authorities and destroyed their livestock.
(d) Enraged peasants resisted the authorities and destroyed their livestock. Between
1929 and 1931 the number of cattle fell by 1/3.
TIGPS HOOGHLY
LIBRARY

ACC NO S 22421
32
HistoY
Future-track: Social Science-X
Impartant/Board luestions with
Some Dther Answers
mark each
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:
Choose the correct option :
the society, was the
1. One of the groups which liked to change
(a) middle class (b) dergy
(c) liberals (d) hard liners
2. Industrialisation brought men, women and children to
(a) rural areas (b) factories
(c) streets (d) fields
3. Giuseppe Mazzini was
(a) a British nationalist (b) a Russian nationalist
(c) an Italian nationalist (d) a German nationalist
4. Marx arqued that industrial society was the
(a) capitalist (b) socialist
(c) moralist (d) communist
5. Workers in England and Germany began to form associations to fight for
(a) limited working hours (b) better living and working conditions
(c) better wages (d) good environment
6. Socialists took over the government in
(a) October Revolution of 1917
Russia through the
(b) November Revolution of 1918
(c) December Revolution of 1919
(d) February Revolution of 1920
7. Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia and its
(a) 1912 empire in
(b) 1913
(c) 1914
(d) 1915
8. Government superuised large
(a) maximum wages and limited factories to ensure the
hours of work
(b) minimum wages and limited hours of work
(c) maximum wages and unlimited hours of
(d) minimum wages and unlimited hours of
work
work
9. All political parties were illegal in
(a) Britain before 1914
(c) Germany before 1914 (b)Russia before 1914
(d) Italy before 1914
10. Why did Lenin feel that :
(a) they were from different
economic backorounds
(b) they were from different social
backgrounds
(c) they were not disciplined and organised wel
(d) they allwere capitalists
 33
HisTORY
Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
Answers
5. (b) 6. (a)
2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (a)
1. ()
8. (b) 9. (b) 10. (a)
7. (c)

mark each
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:
Bolshevik Party ?
Q.1. What was the new name given to the
Ans. Russian Communist Party
Party was founded in
Q.2. The Russian Social Democratic Workers
Ans. 1898 by Socialists.
rallied around
Q.3. In Russia, the war was initially popular and people
Ans. Tsar Nicholas II.
demonstrators and called out the
Q.4. The government tried to control the

Ans. Cavalry.
down the
Q.5. Petrograd had led the February Revolution that brought
Ans. Monarchy in February 1917.
Q.6. On 2nd March, Soviet leaders and Duma leaders formed a
Ans. Provincial Government to run the country.
Q.7. What type of a nation did liberals want ?
Ans. Liberals wanted a nation which tolerated all religions.
inspiration of
Q.8. The political party formed in mid-1920 in India, by the
Russian Revolution was the
Ans. Communist Party.
Q.9. The government suspended the Duma on
Ans. 25 February.
Q.10. Mention the most significant result of the February Revolution.
Ans. The abdication of Tsar Nicholas-I.

Q.11. Explain the significance of the Russian revolution. HAnalysing &Evaluating)

Ans. The major significance of the Russian revolution was the establishment of a socialist
state.

Q.12. What does the term 'conservative' mean ?

Ans. The conservatives believed in respect for the past and change through a gradual
process.
34 HstoT Future-track: Social SienceY
associations.
Q.13. List the names of two workers
France.
Ans. (a) Labour Party in Britain (b) Socialist Party in
coordinate socialist efforts.
Q14. Name the international body formed to in 1870, to coordinate
Ans. The Second International body was forned socialist efforts
throughout Europe.
Q.15. Who were socialists ?
property and saw it as the root
Ans. Socialists were those people who were against private
of all social ills of the time
October Revolution.
Q.16. Who was the ruler of Russia during the Revolution.
Ans. Kerenskii was the ruler of Russia during the October

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS : 3m narks TAnsuers should not exceed 80 words eochj
Russia ?
Q.1. Why did Kerenskit's Government become unpopular in
Ans. The Kerenskii's government become unpopular in Russia because :
workers
() His failure to feel the pulse of the nation. He tried to suppress the
movement and the Balshevik influence.
(ü) People wanted peace, but he tried to continue the war.
(üi) The non-Russian nationals failed to get an equal status under his government.
Q.2. Which event in Russian history is known as Bloody Sunday ?
Ans. (i) On 9th January, 1905 a mass of peaceful workers with their wives and children was
fired at St. Petersburg while on its way to the Winter Palace to present a petition to
the Tsar.
() More than a hundred workers were killed and about 300 were wounded.
(ii) The incident known as Bloody Sunday in history of Russia as the massacre had
taken place on Sunday.
Q.3. What were the immediate consequences of the Russian Revolution ?
DAnalysing&Evaluating)
Ans. The immediate consequences of the Russian Revolution were :
(a) Most industries and banks were nationalized in November 1917. This meant the
government took over the ownership and management. Land was declared social
property.
(b) In cities, Bolsheviks enforced the partition of large houses according to family
requirenents.
(c) They banned the use of old title of aristocracy.
Q.4. What was the basic principle of the Marxist theory?
es(Analysing &Evaluating)
 35
Socialisn in Europe and the Russian Revolution HiSTORY
Ans. The basic principle of the Marxist theory were :
(a) Marx believed that the conditions of workers could not improve if proit was
accumulated by private capitalists.
(b) Workers had to overthrow capitalisn and the rule of private property.
(c) Workers must construct a radically socialist society where all property was socialy
controlled. This would be a communist society and a Communist Party was the
natural society of the future.
Q.5. How did the Bolshevik Party contribute to the Russian Revolution of
October 1917 ?
Ans. () The Bolshevik Party put forward cdear policies to end the war, transferred the land to
the peasants and advanced the slogan, "All power to the Soviets". On the question
of non-Russian nationalities, Bolsheviks were the only party with a dear policy.
(ii) Lenin had proclaimed the right of all people to self-determination, incuding those
under the Russian Empire.
Q.6. Describe reforms introduced by the Russian Tsar Nicholas II after the
Revolution.
Ans. (0) After 1905, most committees and unions worked unofficially. Since they were
declared illegal. Severe restrictions were placed on Kerenskii political activity.
() Power to make laws was conferred upon on elected body called the Duma.
(i) He changed the voting laws and packed the third Duma with conservative
politicians. Liberals and revolutionaries were kept out.
Q.7. State any three events after the Bloody Sunday which led to the revolution
of 1905 in Russia.
Ans. Three events after the Bloody Sunday which led to the revolution of 1905 in Russia
were:

(a) The news provoked unprecedented disturbances throughout Russia. Strike took
place allover the country.
(b) The universities of Russia were closed when student bodies staged walkouts,
complaining about the lack of civil liberties.
(c) Lawyers, doctors, engineers, middle class workers established Union of Unions and
demanded a constituent assembly.
Q.8. Explain the main demands of "April Theses".
Ans. In April 1917, the Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia from his exile.
He and the Bolsheviks had opposed the war since 1914. Now he felt it was time for
soviets to take over power. He put three demands which were known as Lenin's April
Theses.
The three demands were :
(a) He declared that the war to be ended
(b) Land to be transferred to the peasants
(c) The banks to be nationalized.
 HisTORY Future-track Social
34

two workers associations.

Science 1X
of
Q.13. List the names Partyin France.
(b) Socialist
Ans. (a) Labour Party in Britain coordinate socialist efforts,
international body formed to
Q.14. Name the
International body was formed in 1870, to coordinate socialist
Ans. The Second
throughout Europe. efforts
Ans. Who
Q.15. Socialists socialists
were were ?
those people who were against private property and saw it as the root

of all social ills of the time.

ruler of Russia during the October Revolution.
Q.16.Who was the Russia during the October
Revolution.
Ans. Kerenskii was the ruler of

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS :

3 marks each [Ansuers shouldInnot exceed 80
words each)
Government become unpopular in Russia 2
Q1. Why did Kerenskit's
Kerenskii's government become unpopular in Russia because:
Ans. The
() His failure to feel the pulse of the nation. He tried to suppress the workers
influence.
movement and the Balshevik
the war.
(i) People wanted peace, but he tried to continue
(ii) The non-Russian nationals failed to get an equal status under his government.
as Bloody Sunday ?
Q.2. Which event in Russian history is known
Ans. ) On 9th January, 1905a mass of peaceful workers with their wives and children was
fired at St. Petersburg while on its way to the Winter Palace to present a petition
the Tsar.
wounded
(ü) More than a hundred workers were killed and about 300 were
(i) The inident known as Bloody Sunday in history of Kussia as the massacre had
taken place on Sunday.
Q.3. What were the immediate consequences of the Russian Revolution2
orsAnalysing &Evaluating)
Ans. The immediate consequences of the Russian Revolution were:
(a) Most industries and banks were nationalized in November 1917. This meant the
government took over the ownership and management. Land was declared social
property.
(b) In cities, Bolsheviks enforced the partition of large houses according to family
requirements.
(c) They banned the use of old title of aristocracy.
Q4. What was the basic principle of the Marxist theory ?
ers(Analysing & Evaluating)
 35

Socialisn in Europe and the Russian Revolution HisTORY

Ans. The basic principle of the Marxist theory were :

the conditions of workers could not improve if profit was
(a) Marx believed that
accumulated by private capitalists.
rule of private property.
(b) Workers had to overthrow capitalism and the sOcially
Workers must construct a radically socialist society where allproperty was was the
(c) society and a Communist Party
controlled. This would be a communist
natural society of the future.
How did the Bolshevik Party contribute to the Russian Revolution of
Q.5.
October 1917 ?
(i) The Bolshevik Party put forward clear policies to end the war, transferred the land to
Ans. power to the Soviets". On the question
the peasants and advanced the slogan, "All only party with a cdear policy.
of non-Russian nationalities, Bolsheviks were theself-determination, incuding those
(ii) Lenin had proclaimed the ight of allpeople to
under the Russian Empire.
Q.6. Describe reforms introduced by the Russian
Tsar Nicholas II after the
Revolution.
Since they were
Ans. (i) After 1905, most committees and unions worked unofficially.
declared illegal. Severe restrictions were placed on Kerenski political activity.
(ii) Power to make laws was conferred upon on elected body called the Duma.
(iii) He changed the voting laws and packed the third Duma with conservative
politicians. Liberals and revolutionaries were kept out.
Q.7. State any three events after the Bloody Sunday which led to the revolution
of 1905 in Russia.
Ans. Three events after the Bloody Sunday which led to the revolution of 1905 in Russia
were :

(a) The news provoked unprecedented disturbances throughout Russia. Strike took
place all over the country.
(b) The universities of Russia were closed when student bodies staged walkouts,
complaining about the lack of civil liberties.
(c) Lawyers, doctors, engineers, middle class workers established Union of Unions and
demanded a constituent assembly.
Q.8. Explain the main demands of "April Theses".
Ans. In April 1917, the Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin returned to Rusia from his exile.
He and the Bolsheviks had opposed the war since 1914. Now he felt it was time for
soviets to take over power. He put three demands which were known as Lenin's April
Theses.
The three demands were:
(a) He declared that the war to be ended
(b) Land to be transferred to the peasants
(c) The banks to be nationalized.
36 Future-track :Social ScienceX
HisTORY
Q.9. Discuss the positive aspects of the Bolshevik government on Soviet Union
and its people.
Soviet Union and its people
Ans. The positive aspects of the Bolshevik government on
were :
decision to with draw
(i) Immediately after coming to power, Lenin announced his
() from the First World War.
Private property in the meansSof production was abolished. Economic exploitation
by capitalists and landlords came to an end.
the banks, industries and mines
() The control of industries Was aiven to workers. All
water transport and railways were nationalized.
Q.10. How did the 1905 Revolution in Russia prove to be a dresss rehearsal of
October 1917 Revolution ? Explain.
this war, Kussia was
Ans. () In 1904-05, there was war between Russia and Japan. Inthe Tsar. They believed
defeated by Japan. The Russian people began to oppose Tsar which had failed to
government of
that the only cause of this defeat was the
carry out war properly.
and children
(i) Aprocession of thousands of peaceful I workers along with their wives
went to the palace of Tsar to show their anger and present a petition on Sunday.
the Winter Palace of Tsar,
y January, 1905. While the workers were on the way to
they were fired at by the army of the Tsar.
hundred were
() More than one hundred people were killed and about three
wounded.
Q.11. What were the significant changes in the Soviet Union after the death of
Lenin ?
Ans. In 1925, Stalin became General Secretary of the Communist Party of Soviet Union
after the death of Lenin.
The following were the significant changes in the Soviet Union after the death of Lenin.
() The economic and military power of the Soviet Union was enhanced rapidly.
() The unemployment and economic backwardness was controled to some extent.
(i) The international position of the Soviet Union became much better than the
previous time and it became one of the super powers of the world.
Q.12. How was the bad condition of women responsible for Russian
Revolution ? oBB(Analysing &Evaluating)
Ans, The bad condition of women responsible for Russian Revolution because :
() Most of the women were working in small factories.
(i) Women made up about 31 %of the factory labour force by 1914.
(iii) They were paid less wages and were forced to work for longhours.
(ip) When they launched an agitation, they were fired by the police.
O.13. Whywere socialists against private property and saw it as the root of all
social ills ? ton(Analysing &Evaluating)
 37
Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution HisTóRY
Ans. The people who propagated socialism said that individuals, who owned property, did
employment to many people but they were concerned with personal gains
provide of the people. They felt that if society
only. They did not bother about the welfarepaid to collective social interests socialists
controlled property, more attention would be
wanted this change and campaigned for it.
radicals in Europe.
Q.14. Differentiate between the ideas of the liberals and
franchise. In contrast, radicals wanted a
Ans. (a) The liberals did not believe in universal population.
nation in which government was based on most ofa country's
the vote. They did not want the
(b) Liberals felt men of prosperity mainly should have supported women's suffragette
vote for women. On the other hand, the radicalslandowners and wealthy factory
movements and opposed the privileges of qreat
owners.
private property but disliked
(c) Radicals were not against the existence of
concentration of property in the hands of a few.
Revolution for rest
Q.15. Which basic principles, ideas and values had the Russian
of the world ?
of the world:
Ans. The basic principles, ideas and values had the Russian Revolution for rest
(a) Economic equality
(b) Social Equality
(c) Socialism
(d) Anti-capitalism.
(e) International fraternity of all the peasants, craftsmen and workers.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS: J marks each (Answers should not exceed 100 uwords each.]
Q.1. Describe the circumstances which were responsible for the Russian
Revolution.
Ans. The circumstances which were responsible for the Russian Revolution as given below:
(i) The Russian peasantry was in a miserable condition. The farmers could not get
even two square meals a day. Their land holdings were very small and they had to
pay heavy taxes.
() The Russian as wellas the foreign capitalist industrialists exploited the workers by
taking 12-14 hours of work and paying very low wages to them. The workers had
no right to form trade unions or seek reforms. They led a miserable life.
(i) The Tsar Nicholas II was a despotic and autocratic ruler. He enjoyed unlimited
powers and rights. The people of the higher strata enjoyed greatprivileges. The
bureaucracy was corupt and inefficient. The common people who suffered most,
were fed up with the absolute rule of the Tsar and wanted to get rid of him.
(io) Karl Marx propagated 'Scientific Socialisn'. He strongly opposed capitalism which
meant untold exploitation of the common men.
 Future -trock Social
38 HisTORY
Q2. Explain in brief Lenin's contribution to the Russian Revolution of 1917. Soence%
Ans. () Lenin had played an important part in the Russian Revolution of 1917 It is true
it was the
that after the fall of Tsar, Lenín led the revolutionaries. Really,
(n ofThe
the revolution.
Provisional Government. under the leadership of Kerenski. Could not
beginning
and failed.
(i) implernent the demand
Under Lenín's leadership. thepeople
of the Bolshevik Party put forward dear policies to end
advance the slogan All power to the
the war, transter the land tothe peasants and
Soviets'.
had and
(iv) He had described the Russian empire as a Prison of the non-Russian decdared that
Nations

no genuine dermocracy could be established

unless all people were
given equal rights.
Revolutionaries ?
Q3. What were the main objectives of the Russian
Ans. The) main objectives
The Tsar of theRussia
had thrown Russian Revolutionaries
intothe wereto fulfil
First World War his inmperialisticc desires.
Russia should withdraw frorn the war
It was the demand of the reyolutionaries that1917 after the Revolution.
So, it withdrew from the First Word War in
tillers. The landlords had to give the
(i) After the Revolution, theland was given tothe farms were established. In Kolkhoz
land to the government. Kolkhoz and Sookhoj
farms, the peasants worked collectively.
in the conditions of the
(m) The revolutionaries had demanded an improvement
industrial workers. They demanded better wages, good working conditions and
and the dream
removal of exploitation. After 1917. the industries were nationalised
of workers was fulfilled.
given equal
(io) The next aím of the revolutionaries was that the non-Russians should bebecome
status. Lenin believed that without this status these people could never real
Russians.
Q.4. How Lenin's name became inseparable from the Russian Revolution ?
DAnalysing &Evaluating)
Ans. Lenin's name became inseparable from the Russian Revolution:
) After completing his education, he joned the Communist Revolutionary Party
and started spreading revolutionary ideas among the workers. He favoured the
workers. He also favoured the seting up of the new society based on the prínciples
of socialisn of Karl Marx.
(i) He set up a Communist Government in place of the despotic rule in Russia.
Therefore, Lenin's name becarne inseparable from the Russian Revolution.
(H) Lenin united the peasants and workers under the Bolshevik Party and directed the
revolution against the Provisional Government
(o) Eforts were made to set up a Socialist Governnent on the basis of principles of
Karl Marx. The private property was confiscated. Lenin took the land from the
landlords and distributed it among the peasants. The Government nationalised all
 39
Socialisn in Europe and the Risnian Pevchution
nanagement to the worhers. Al dets Wete
the factories and handed oer their
rernítted The property of the Church was also confiscated.
Q.5. What was the impact of the Russian Revolution on Russía ?
Ans. The impact of theRussian Revolution on Russia were:
monarchy in Russia. The Tsarist enpire
0 The Revolution put an end to autocratic of Soviet Socialist Republics
was transformed into a new state known as the Union
or the Soviet Union.
Reyolution was the establishrnernt of a
(0) The most important result of the Bolshevik were brought under
Socialist Government ín Russia. All the means of prOduction
etc. all were decared
state control. Banks, mínes, factories, raikways, telephones,
the Church was nationalised. Wor
as governiment property and the property ofperson. The nonworking person es
became an essential requirement for every
not entítled to vote.
miserable due to the First Wond
(ii) The condition of the Russian mass had become
War. The príme need of the Russian mass was food, not expansion.
all the means of
(iu) As a result of the Bolshevik Revolution, the government tookíndustries.
production under its control and nationalised all small and big Hence,
grouth of
within a few years Russía emerged as a powerful industrial state. With the
industrial and agricultural production, poverty started disappearing and the country
moved on to the path of prosperity.
Q.6. What was the global impact of the Russian Revolution ?
Ans. The global impact of the Russian Revolution were
() The Bolshevik Revolution helped in the spread of Socialist and Communist ideas
all over the world. Communist Governments were established in many Europearn
countries.
(4) Most of the Bolshevik leaders believed that a series of revolutions will sueep other
countries of the world along with revolution in Russia. Many non-Russians from
outside the USSR participated in the conference of the people of the east and the
Bolshevik-founded comintern, an international union of Pro-Bolshevik socialist
parties.
(in) The Bolshevik government granted freedom to all its colonies immediately after
coming to power. Thus, the new Soviet State came forward as a friend of the
subjugated people and proved to be a source of great inspiration to the freedom
movements of various Asian and African countries.
(iv) By the end of the 20th century, the international reputation of the USSR as a
socialist country had declined through it was recognised that socialist ideals still
enjoyed respect among its people.
Q.7. Houw did Russia's participation in the World War cause the fall of the Tsar ?
Ans. (a) The war was initially popular, and people rallied around Tsar Nicholas I.
(b) As the war continued, support became thin and Tsar's popularity declined.
Anti-German sentiments became high.
 Future-track Social ScienceX
HistoRY
40 advisers, especially a
Alexandra's German origins and poor monk
Tsarina unpopular.
(d) The
(e) DefeatsRasputin,
wereshocking
made the autocracy
and demoralising. Russia's armies lost badly in Germany
called
and 1916. There were over 7 million casualties by 1917.
behueen 1914 refugees in
and Austria over 3 million
wiRussi
sh toa. fight
and buildings led to not The
(e) The destruction of rops government and the Tsar. Soldiers did
situationdiscreditedthe
such a war.
of the First World War on the industries
in
Q8. Explain the main effects eD(Analysing &Evaluating)
Russia.
World on the
Warvery industries in Russia were :
Ans. Eects
(a) of the
Russian First
industries were few and the country was cut off from other suppliers
German control
goods bydisintegrated of the Baltic Sea.
industrialequipment
(b) ofIndustrial morerapidlyin Russia than elsewhere in Europe.
down. Able bodied men were called up to
(c) By 1916 railway lines began to break
the war.
workshops producing essential
(d) As aresult, there were labour shortages and small
commodities were shut down.
For the people in the cities
(e) Large supplies of arain were sent to feed the army. riots at bread shops wero
bread and flour became scarce. By the winter of 1916,
common.

NCERT Textbook based Activities and Luestions

TEXTBOOK QUESTION (Textbook Page-28)
How could a society without property operate ? What would be the basis of
socialist society ?
HINT :(0 Socialists believed that a society without property could not operate for
collective social interest.
(i) The basis of socialist society suggested by some socialists was the development
of cooperatives and replacement of capitalist enterprises.
(ii) Co-operatives were to be the associations of people who produced goods
together and divided the profits according to the work done by members.
Indians were also inspired by the Russian Revolution. By the mid 1920s, the Communist
Party was formed in India.
ACTIVITY (Textbook Puge-28)
List two differences between the capitalist and socialist ideas of private
property.
HINT : Capitalist ldeas :
() They were owners of the industries because they invested the capital in it.
(0) They believed that the profit should go to factory's owners.
 41
Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution HisTORY

Socialist ldeas :
() They believed that all property should be socially controlled.
(i) They believed that the profits are the fruits of the worker's labour, so they deserve t
ACTIVITY (Textbook Page-29)
socialist
Imagine that a meeting has been called in your area to discuss the
collective ownership.
idea of doing away with private property and introducing
Write the speech you would make at the meeting if you are :
"a poor labourer working in the fields
"a medium-level landowner
"a house owner
Nature does not discriminate
HINT : (0 A poor labourer working in the fields : have more and others have
people in providing its resources, then why some
less means of livelihood.
the labourers. But.
The property is the result of hard labour. It is performed by is totally owned
profit
they are not given share of profits they produce. Thisabolished and collective
by the landowners. So, private property should be
ownership of property should be introduced.
(ii) A medium level land owner : No doubt that the idea of socialism is good,
but the complete abolition of private property is not reasonable. It will reduce
the production of crops. It is human nature that without interest people cannot
work properly. So, private property should not be abolished but should be
equally distributed among the people.
(iü) A house owner : Everyone has the basic needs of life, ie., bread, clothes and
shelter. Every one should be given opportunity and means to fulfil these needs.
ACTIVITY (Textbook Page-33)
Why were there revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905 ? What were the
demands of revolutionaries ?
HINT: () The prices of essential goods rose so steeply that real wages declined by 20%.
Workers were dismissed at the Putilov Iron works. Consequenty, the procession
of workers led by Father Gapon reached the Winter Palace, where it was attacked
by the police. In this, 100 workers were killed and 300 were wounded. These
were the immediate causes of revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905.
(i0) The revolutionaries demandeda reduction in the working hours to eight
hours, an increase in wages and improvement in the working conditions.

ACTIVITY (Textbook Puge-34)

The year is 1916. You are a general in the Tsar's army on the eastern front. You
are writing a report for the government in Moscow. In your report, suggest what
you think the government should do to improve the situation.
 Future-track: Social ScienceX
Hstor
42
good deal but with large
fighting a
HINT:Sir, on the eastern front. the armyis do not want to continue the war. So I
casualties
They think,
Due to casualties, the soldiers are depressed.Guerrilla war instead of defeat and heavy casualties
itis better tothink about other optionslike
ACTIVITY (Textbook Page-36)
(Box-1) Women in the February Revolution cO-workers ... At the Lorenz
their male
Women uorkers, often.. inspired handedly called a successful strike. Already that
telephone
factory ... Marfa Vasileva almost single women workers had presented red bous to the men
morning. in celebration of Women's Day, workand declared | an
Then Marfa Vasileva, a milling machine operator stopped impromptu
were ready to support her ... The foreman informed the
strike. The workers on the floor
breod She took the bread but refused to go back to work
management and sent her atloaf of andshe replied, I cannot be the
The administrator asked her again why she refused to work
hungry. Women workers from anotherr section of the
only one who is satiated when others are ceasedI
factory gathered around Marfa in Support and gradually all the other women working.
rushed onto the street
Soon the men douned their tools as well and the entire croud
Look again at Source A and Box 1.
() List five changes in the mood of the workers.
individual basis.
HINT :(a) Propaganda was sdone in the plants andshops on an
(b) These were followed by discussion circles.
(c) Legal meetings took place for official issues.
liberation of the working
(a) This was integrated into the general struggle forthe
dass.
front of
(e) llegal meetings were arranged during lunch, in the evening break, in
the exit, in the yard., on the stairs etc.
() Place yourself in the position of a woman who has seen both situations and
write an account of what has changed.
HINT :(a) In the earlier situation, work was going on and no one favoured to stop it.
(b) But, in the second siuation, the women workers inspired their male co-workers.
(c) Marfa Vasileva called a successful strike alone at the Lorenz telephone factory.
(d) She was offered some concession, but she refuse to join the factory unless all
the workers were treated equally.
(e) She was followed by all women workers and somewhere by men too in calling
the strike.
Thus, in the second situation, the protest was through the strike while in the
first, strike was not adopted for it. Instead, different propaganda, meetings, etc.
of the workers were the main means.
 43
Socialisn in Europe and the Russian Revolution HisToRY

ACTIVITY (Textbook Page 40)

Box-3
The October Revolution and the Russian Countryside : Two Views
following
News of the revolutionary uprising of October 25, 1917, reached the villageantheend
day and was greeted with enthusiasm; to the peasants it meant free land and to the
war. ...Ihe day the news arrived, the landowner's manor house was looted, his stock farmS
were "requisitioned" and his vast orchard was cut down and sold to the peasants for woOd;
all his far buildings were torm down and left in ruins while the land was distributed among the
peasants who were prepared to live the new Soviet life'.
From : Fedor Belov, The History ofa Soviet Collective Farm
Amember of a landowning fanily wrote to a relative about what happened at the
estate:
The "coup" happened quite painlessly, quietly and peacefully. ...The first days were say
unbearable.. Mikhail Mikhailovich [the estate owner] was calm..The girls also..I must The
the chaiman behaves correctly and even politely. We were left two cows and two horses.
We
servants tell them all the time not to bother us. "Let them live. vouch for their safety and
property. We want them treated as humanely as possible...
.There are rumours that several villages are trying to evict the committees and return the
estate to Mikhail Mikhailovich. I don't know if this will happen, or if it's good for us. But we
rejoice that there is a conscience in our people..."
From : Serge Schmemann, Echoes of a Native Land. Two Centuries of a Russian Village
(1997).
Read the two views on the revolution in the countryside. Imagine yourself to be
a witness to the events. Write a short account from the standpoint of :
" an owner of an estate
"a small peasant
"a journalist
HINT : () An owner of an estate : My estate was overpowered by the peasants. 1.
with my family, was calm. They treated us properly and politely. Servants
were always assured not to worry. They cared our safety. Ialso heard that our
property would be returned
(i) Asmall peasant :Iwith other peasants, had been living a life of misery since
birth. We did not have large farmhouses to work for profit collectively. Now, we
have the opportunity to free the land. At the same time, war has ended, which
gives us peace, time and resources to work collectively. We have looted many
things from landowners' houses and stock farms.
(ii) A journalist : As soon as the news of the uprising came in the villages, the
peasants welcomed it very enthusiastically. They were happy because free land
was available to them and war had ended. The peasants looted the rich houses
of the landowners and their farn stocks. The revolutionaries cut down the large
orchards of the rich landowners and sold them to the peasants. They destroyed
 Future-track Social Science-X
HIsTORY
44

and the noble and their lands were distributed

the buildings of the rich
the peasants free of cost.
among
ACTIVITY (Textbook
Why did peoplePage-41)
in Central Asia respondtothe Russian Revolution in different

ways ? Jadidists'
HINT: (0) The non-Russian
nationals and Muslim
Bolsheviks
cooperated
controlled
with the
Bolsheviks. Through their cooperation,
the most of the
January 1920.
former Russian empires in with the Bolsheviks whereas Russian
nationalists did not cooperate
(i) The local Bolsheviks. Thereason was that in Central Asia
coloniststhemselves turned and
local nationalists in the name of
brutally massacred
China, Bolshevik colonists
defending socialism.
ACTIVITY (Textbook Page-47) in Soviet Russia in 1920
Source F-An Indian arrives
we were seeing Europeans mixing freely with Asians. On
For the first time in our lives, we were convinced
Russians mingling freely with the rest of the people oftheCOuntrylight.
Seeing the saw freedom in its true In spite of their
that we had come to aland of real equality. We people were more
poverty, imposed by the counter-revolutionaries and the imperialists, the
had instilled confidence and fearlessness
jouial and satisfied than ever before. The revolutionbe seen here among these people of fiftu
in them. The real brotherhood of mankind would hindered them from mixing freely with
dijferent nationalities, No barriers of caste or religion
an orator. One could see a worker, a peasant
one another. Every soul was transformed intolecturer.'
haranguing like a professional Shaukat Usmani, Historic Trips of a
or asoldier
Revolutionary.
in 1930
Source G-Rabindranath Tagore wrote from Russia
capitals. None of those hurrying
Moscow appears much less clean than the other Europeanworkers... Here the masses have
along the streets look smart. The whole place belongs to the who lived in the background
not in the least been put in the shade by the gentlemen... those peasants and workers in my
Jor ages haue come forward in the open today ... I thought of the Nights. [here] only adecade
Oun country It all seemed like the work of the Geni in the Arabian Who could be more
ago they were as illiterate, helpless and hungry as our own masses...
astonished than an unfortunate Indian like myself to see how they had removed the mountain
of ignorance and helplessness in these few years
Compare the passages written by Shaukat Usmani and Rabindranath Tagore.
Read them in relation to Sources C, D and E.
() What did Indians find impressive about the USSR ?
() What did the writers fail to notice?
HINT :() Shaukat Usmanipraised the equality which was brought by the revolution in
Russia. He said that he had come to the land of real equality. He opined that
in spite of their poverty. people were more happy and satisfied. There was no
barrier which could stop themfrom mixing altogether, like caste or religion.
 45
Socialisrn in Europe and the Russian Revolution HissorY
the Russian
Rabindranath Tagore was impressed with the outcome which in dark since
were
Revolution brought. He was very happy for the people whoIndians to 9 great
centuries, have come in open freely now. This impressed
extent.
Party
(i0) Both the writers failed to notice that the way throuah which the Bolshevik
which was not
captured the power and ruled the state in the name of socialisn
justified, static and everlasting, That is why. it failed in the last.
ACTIVITY (Textbook Page-48)
Q.1. Imagine that you are a striking worker in 1905 who is being tried in court
for your act of rebellion. Draft the speech you would make in your defence. Act out
your speech for your class.
HINT: Your honour, I have not committed any crime. 1do not have two square meals a
because of
day. I am wearing the same clothes since last year, My wife and two children died
hunger. Your majesty Can lask when anybody is in this state of mind and livelihood, what
the system expects from him ? Sir, justice is in your hand.
0.2. Write the headline and a short news item about the uprising of 24 October
1917 for each of the following newspapers:
.aConservative paper in France
.a Radical newspaper in Britain
"a Bolshevik newspaper in Russia
HINT :() A Conservative paper in France :
The Uprising of Bolsheviks under Arrest : At the dawn of the day, the
military troops had seized two Bolshevik's buildings where it published the
newspapers. The military also has taken the telephone and telegraph under
control and protected the Winter Palace.
(ii) Radical newspaper in Britain :
Bolshevik Action is Approved : The city is under the revolutionaries'
control. Ministers have surrendered. All Russian Congress of Soviets in
Petrograd has approved the Bolshevik action.
(ii) A Bolshevik newspaper in Russia :
Bolsheviks have Won the War : The party has captured many governmental
military points in addition to the Winter Palace. We, the people of Russia and
followers of Bolshevik party. have controlled finaly the centre of power, i.e.,
Moscow-Petrograd area.
Q.3. Imagine that you are a middle-level wheat farmer in Russia after
collectivisation. You have decided to write a letter to Stalin explaining your
objections to collectivisation. What would you write about the conditions of your
life ? What do you think would be Stalin's response to such a farmer ?
46
HIsTORY Future-track: Social Science-1X
HINT : () To,
Mr. Stalin
From:
ABC:
Add:
Dear Sir,
lam a middle level wheat farmer. Icultivate the crops with hard labour. I till
the land. I get a sufficient production from this land. The production of crops
S enough to fulfill the needs of my family while some would be left tor sale.
D0, please allowme to cultivate mu land muself. It should be exempted from
collectivisation.
Your obediently
ABC

(i) Stalin's Response :

To,
ABC
Dear ABC,
Igot your letter. You are obedient and follow the right way. But, you are
not aware that by joining the collectivisation, your crop production would
be increased and so the income. This is because, it is based on the scientific
methods of cultivation. We are not going to take your land butyou are joining
with others to form a unity to make strength. So, you should follow the
directions.
Thanks,
Your well-wisher
Stalin