Class 9 (History) Chapter 2 ( Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution)

 

Class 9 (History)

Chapter 2 ( Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution)

 

Notes

 

1. 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.
2. The Three Political Paradigms:
• Emerged post-French Revolution.
• Included Conservatives, Liberals, and Radicals.
3. 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.
4. Emergence of Socialism:
• Socialists advocated communal property.
• Figures like Robert Owen, Louis Blanc supported cooperatives.
• Karl Marx criticized private property, advocated for wealth redistribution.
5. 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.
6. The 1905 Revolution:
• Inflation led to low wages.
• Putilov Iron Works firing sparked strikes.
• Protesters met violence, prompting Tsar to form Duma.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

1. Nationalization of industries and banks, placing them under government control.
2. Redistribution of land, allowing peasants to seize nobility-owned land.
3. Prohibition of aristocratic titles and redesign of army and official uniforms.
4. Renaming of the Bolshevik Party to the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik).
5. 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.