Class 9 (History)
Chapter 2 ( Socialism in Europe and the
Russian Revolution)
Notes
- Introduction:
The period following the French Revolution saw the emergence of three
distinct political paradigms: Conservatives, Liberals, and Radicals. Industrialization
brought about significant societal challenges including inadequate living
standards, meager wages, and urbanization-related issues. Socialism
emerged as a response, advocating communal property and wealth
redistribution, with figures like Karl Marx leading the charge. In Russia,
discontent among workers led to revolutions in 1905 and February 1917,
ultimately resulting in the fall of the Tsarist regime and the
establishment of socialism. This revolution influenced social
transformations across Europe, with liberalists, radicals, and
conservatives advocating for differing levels of societal change. The
Russian Revolution also had a significant impact on India, inspiring the
formation of the Indian Communist Party and influencing prominent leaders
like Tagore and Nehru.
- The
Three Political Paradigms:
- Emerged
post-French Revolution.
- Included
Conservatives, Liberals, and Radicals.
- Problems
with Industrialization:
- Conventional
farming inadequate.
- Rising
population, wars, monarchies led to poor living standards.
- Meager
wages in industries.
- Urbanization
raised housing and sanitation concerns.
- Emergence
of Socialism:
- Socialists
advocated communal property.
- Figures
like Robert Owen, Louis Blanc supported cooperatives.
- Karl
Marx criticized private property, advocated for wealth redistribution.
- Socialist
Revolution in Russia:
- Monarchy
system pre-20th century.
- Tsar
Nicholas II ruled.
- Concentration
of industries in St. Petersburg, Moscow.
- Workers
mistreated, leading to protests.
- The
1905 Revolution:
- Inflation
led to low wages.
- Putilov
Iron Works firing sparked strikes.
- Protesters
met violence, prompting Tsar to form Duma.
- The
February Revolution:
- World
War I strained industries.
- Loss
of workers affected small workshops, farms.
- Women
played crucial role in strikes.
- Tsar
abdicated in 1917.
- Results
of the Russian Revolution:
- Czars'
fall, Russian Empire disintegrated.
- Vladimir
led Bolsheviks.
- Civil
War between Reds and Whites.
- Russia
withdrew from WWI.
- Independence
for Finland, Baltics, Poland.
- Dictatorship
established.
- Social
Transformation in Europe:
- Post-French
Revolution, ideals of equality, justice, liberty.
- Liberalists
advocated for religious tolerance, parliamentary government.
- Radicals
sought government by citizens, women's equality.
- Conservatives
resisted radical changes, favored affluent class.
- Russian
Revolution and India:
- Indian
participation in Communist universities.
- Indian
Communist Party formed in mid-1920s.
- Tagore,
Nehru referenced Soviet Socialism.
- Indian
writers discussed Russian Revolution.
- Indian
leaders visited Russia to learn socialist principles.
Important
Question Answers
Q1. How did Louis Blanc
envision the functioning of cooperatives?
A1. Louis Blanc advocated
for government support to encourage cooperatives and replace capitalist
enterprises. He proposed that cooperatives should guarantee employment for the
urban poor and be formed through collective effort, with profits divided
according to members' work.
Q2. What were the core
beliefs of the Conservatives?
A2. The Conservatives
opposed radical change and favored traditional values. By the 19th century,
they accepted the inevitability of some change but preferred a gradual process
while maintaining respect for the past.
Q3. When and how did
Bolshevism emerge?
A3. Bolshevism emerged at
the second congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in 1903.
Bolsheviks represented the majority of Russian workers and advocated for
revolutionary methods to transform society and the state.
Q4. Who were the Mensheviks
and what were their key principles?
A4. The Mensheviks were a minority group among
Russian workers who believed in parliamentary methods and participation in
elections. They favored open parties similar to those in France and Germany and
sought alliances with liberals.
Q5. What was the Paris
Commune and what were its goals?
A5. The Paris Commune was a popular uprising
between March and May 1871. Its main goals were to end worker exploitation and
monopolies, leading to the emergence of the concept of the 'Dictatorship of the
Proletariat.'
Q6. What was Lenin's New
Economic Policy and why was it implemented?
A6. Lenin's New Economic Policy, introduced in
1921, marked a temporary retreat from full socialism. It allowed limited
capitalism to revitalize Russia's economy, permitting individual profit and
private ownership within state-controlled sectors.
Q7. What were the
fundamental differences between capitalists and socialists regarding property
ownership and profits?
A7. Capitalists believed in individual
ownership of property and profits benefiting owners. In contrast, socialists
advocated for communal ownership of property and argued that profits stemmed
from workers' labor, thus should be shared.
Q8. How did people in
Central Asia react to the Russian Revolution, and why did their responses vary?
A8. Responses in Central
Asia varied due to differing political, social, and economic contexts. While
some embraced socialist ideals, others resisted, leading to diverse reactions
across the region.
Q9. What were the
contrasting visions of Robert Owen and Louis Blanc?
A9. Robert Owen aimed to
establish cooperative communities like 'New Harmony' with government support.
Louis Blanc proposed government-backed cooperatives to replace capitalist
enterprises, with profits distributed based on members' work.
Q10. How were socialist
parties formed in various parts of the world?
A10. Workers in England and Germany formed
workers' associations to improve living and working conditions, collaborating
with socialist parties like the Social Democratic Party in Germany.
Q11. What were the main
causes of the 1905 Revolution in Russia?
A11. The main causes included autocratic rule,
rising prices, declining wages, poor working conditions, and the 'Bloody
Sunday' incident at the Winter Palace, which triggered widespread revolt
against the Tsar.
Q12. What was the Duma and
why did it face challenges?
A12. The Duma was an elected
legislative body in Russia. It faced challenges from the Tsar, who dissolved
successive assemblies to maintain power, favoring conservative politicians and
sidelining liberal and revolutionary voices.
Q13. What impact did World
War I have on the Russian economy?
A13. World War I led to industrial equipment
deterioration, labor shortages, rising prices, bread shortages, and civil
unrest in Russia, exacerbating existing economic challenges and contributing to
social instability.
Q14. What were the three
major demands put forward by the Bolsheviks in 1917?
A14. The demands, known as Lenin's 'April
Theses,' called for ending the war, redistributing land to peasants, and
nationalizing banks, reflecting Bolshevik opposition to the war and their
vision for revolutionary change.
Q15. How did the Mensheviks
resist Bolshevik protests?
A15. Mensheviks formed committees in
industries and the military to challenge existing power structures and convened
an All-Russian Congress of Soviets to address growing discontent against the
Provisional Government.
Q16. What were the causes of
the civil war between the Bolsheviks and non-Bolshevik socialists in Russia?
A16. The civil war stemmed
from Bolshevik land redistribution policies, which led to the disintegration of
the Russian army. Non-Bolshevik socialists, liberals, and supporters of
autocracy organized against Bolsheviks, resulting in widespread violence,
looting, and famine.
Q17. What was the impact of
Stalin's 'Reign of Terror'?
A17. Stalin's 'Reign of
Terror' led to the imprisonment, forced confessions, and execution of critics,
including talented professionals falsely accused and punished under Stalin's
regime, fostering widespread fear and suppression of dissent.
Q18. What social changes
occurred after industrialization?
A18. Industrialization led to urbanization,
long work hours, poor wages, housing issues, emergence of new cities,
industrial regions, and railways, reshaping societal dynamics and leading to
the rise of new social and economic structures.
Long Question Answers
Q1. What were the prevailing
social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
A1. Before 1905, Russia was characterized by
diverse social, economic, and political conditions.
- Socially, the majority adhered to
Russian Orthodox Christianity, while non-Russian nationalities faced
cultural and linguistic restrictions. Workers were categorized based on
skill, and peasants formed communal groups.
- Economically, Russia was primarily
agrarian, with grain as a major export. Industrialization was limited,
concentrated mainly in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The workforce included
both factory workers and craftsmen, facing exploitation by capitalists.
- Politically, Russia was a monarchy under
Tsar Nicholas II, rejecting parliamentary governance, with all political
parties deemed illegal.
Q2. How did the working
population in Russia differ from that in other European countries before 1917?
A2. The working population in Russia differed
significantly from that in other European countries before 1917.
- In Europe, workers formed associations
advocating for improved conditions and supported political parties, unlike
the fragmented Russian workforce.
- European workers demanded reduced
working hours and the right to vote, while Russian workers faced social
divisions based on occupation and rural ties.
- Despite rising workers' associations in
Russia, the government suppressed labor movements, contrasting with the
more unified and politically active European labor force.
Q3. Why did the Tsarist
autocracy collapse in 1917?
A3. The collapse of the Tsarist autocracy in
1917 stemmed from various factors.
- Anti-German sentiments during World War
I, compounded by Tsarina Alexandra's German heritage and poor advisors,
eroded public support.
- Russia's devastating war losses, coupled
with food shortages and refugees, fueled discontent among the populace.
- Strikes and riots erupted, leading to a
series of protests and the suspension of the Duma.
- The February Revolution saw the
formation of the Petrograd Soviet and a Provisional Government,
culminating in Tsar Nicholas II's abdication.
Q4. What were the immediate
changes implemented by the Bolsheviks after the October Revolution?
A4. The Bolsheviks swiftly
implemented several changes following the October Revolution.
- Nationalization of industries and banks,
placing them under government control.
- Redistribution of land, allowing
peasants to seize nobility-owned land.
- Prohibition of aristocratic titles and
redesign of army and official uniforms.
- Renaming of the Bolshevik Party to the
Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik).
- Withdrawal from World War I, despite
opposition, and establishment of Bolshevik dominance in the All Russian
Congress of Soviets elections.
Q5. Briefly discuss the
following topics:
(i) Kulaks: Wealthy peasants
targeted for elimination to modernize farming.
(ii) The Duma: Consultative parliament
established during the 1905 Revolution.
(iii) Women workers
(1900-1930): Engaged in factory labor and collective
farms, facing wage disparities.
(iv) The Liberals:
Advocates for societal change, promoting religious tolerance and parliamentary
governance.
(v) Stalin's collectivization program:
Forced consolidation of small farms into state-controlled collective farms
(Kolkhoz) aimed at resolving food shortages.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep your views respectful and not include any promotional comments. Such comments will be removed and your IP will be blocked for future purpose.