II. Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Q1. What were the social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Ans: The following were the social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905:
(a) Social Conditions

• The majority religion was Russian Orthodox Christianity— which had grown out of the Greek Orthodox Church. But the empire also included Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and Buddhists.

Cross of the Russian Orthodox Church

• The non-Russian nationalities were not treated equally to the Russian nationalities. 
• Workers were a divided group on the basis of skill and training. 

(b) Economic Conditions

• The majority of Russians were agriculturists. 
• Industries were few. Much of the production was done by the craftsmen. 
• With the expansion of the Russian rail network, foreign investment in factories grew. 
• There was huge coal, iron, and steel production. The workers were exploited by capitalists who made their lives miserable.

(c) Political Conditions

• Russia was a monarchy.
• The Tsars believed in the divine rights of kings. 
• They were not responsible to the Parliament. 
• All political parties were illegal in Russia.

Q2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
Ans:

• Compared to people in Europe, the situation for Russians, especially workers like farmers and factory workers, was very poor.
• This was mainly because of Tsar Nicholas II’s harsh and corrupt rule.
• Much of what the peasants produced went to landowners and the wealthy.
• Large estates were controlled by the nobility, the crown, and the Orthodox Church.
• In Europe, peasants supported and fought for nobles, but in Russia, they wanted the nobles’ land for themselves.
• They often refused to pay rent and sometimes even killed landlords due to frustration with harsh policies.
• Factory workers also suffered; they couldn’t form unions or political groups to voice their complaints.
• They were exploited by industrialists, often receiving low wages and working long hours with no limits.

Q3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
Ans: 

• There was widespread anger against the Tsar’s autocratic rule. The Russian people wanted an end to the war and peace, but the Tsar, who had mishandled the war, insisted on continuing it. The peasants, in particular, wanted land for themselves, but the corrupt government ignored their demands.
• Workers also faced terrible conditions. They couldn’t form trade unions or political parties to voice their concerns. Private industrialists ran most industries, and workers often received less than minimum wages and worked 12-15 hours a day with no set limits.
• The Tsar’s rule had become ineffective. He was corrupt, oppressive, and indifferent to the people’s welfare.
• Karl Marx’s ideas inspired people to demand change.
• The Tsar’s involvement and defeat in World War I was the final blow that led to the collapse of his rule.

Q4. 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 the leaders were, and what the impact of each was on Soviet history.
Ans:
(a) The February Revolution

• In February 1917, there were severe food shortages in the workers’ areas. Parliamentarians were against the Tsar’s decision to dissolve the Duma.
• On 22nd February, a factory lockout happened, with many women leading strikes. The strikes spread, with workers surrounding important areas in Petrograd, like Nevskii Prospekt.
• On 25th February, the Duma was dissolved, leading to the ransacking of the Police Headquarters on 27th February. The cavalry refused to shoot at the protesters. By evening, soldiers and workers joined together to form the Petrograd Soviet, a “council.”
• The Tsar abdicated his power on 2nd March, and the Soviet and Duma leaders set up a Provisional Government for Russia. The February Revolution was led by the people, not any political party. Petrograd was crucial in ending the monarchy and had an important place in Soviet history.

February Revolution

(b) The October Revolution

• The conflict between the Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks led to the October Revolution.
• In September 1917, Vladimir Lenin began organizing an uprising. On 16th October, he convinced the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to support a socialist takeover. Leon Trotsky led the Military Revolutionary Committee to carry out the plan.
• On 24th October, as the uprising began, Prime Minister Kerensky left the city for reinforcements. The Military Revolutionary Committee quickly took action: the ship Aurora shelled the Winter Palace, and by evening, the city was under Bolshevik control.
• After fierce fighting, the Bolsheviks secured the Moscow-Petrograd area. Their actions were approved by the All-Russian Congress of Soviets. The October Revolution, led by Lenin and Trotsky, marked the start of Lenin’s rule with Bolshevik leadership.

Q5. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
Ans: 

• Industries and banks were nationalized, meaning the government took over their ownership and management.
• Land was declared social property, allowing peasants to take land from the nobility. In cities, the Bolsheviks divided large houses to fit family needs.
• The use of old aristocratic titles was banned, and new uniforms for the army and officials were introduced. The Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik).
• Despite opposition from their allies, the Bolsheviks made peace with Germany and withdrew from World War I.
• Later, the Bolsheviks were the only party in elections to the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, which became Russia’s Parliament.

Q6. Write a few lines to show what you know about
(a) Kulaks
(b) The Duma
(c) Women workers Between 1900 and 1930
(d) The Liberals
(e) Stalin’s Collectivisation Programme
Ans: 
(a) Kulaks

• They were the well-to-do peasants who were supposed to be holding stocks in the hope of higher prices. 
• They were raided so that they may be eliminated in order to develop modern farms and establish state-controlled large farms.

(b) The Duma
The Duma was a consultative parliament that was created with the permission of the Tsar during the 1905 Revolution.
(c) Women Workers Between 1900 and 1930

• Women made up 31% of the factory labour force but were paid between 1/2 and 3/4 of a man’s wages. 
• They actively led the strikes in many factories. They even worked in the collective farms.

(d) The Liberals

• They were a group that looked to change society. They wanted a nation that tolerated all religions and opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers. 
• They argued for a representative, elected parliamentary government with laws interpreted by a well-trained, independent judiciary that was separate from rulers and officials.

(e) Stalin’s Collectivisation Programme

• Stalin hoped to solve the problem of food shortage by combining small farms with large and modern farms. 
• This was a collectivisation programme that began in 1929. Peasants were forced to work in these state-controlled collective farms called Kolkhoz.