Class 9 NCERT - Solved Question Answers Documents

 Page 1


private capitalists. This would finally 
destroy the rule of private property. 
Marx wanted the workers to construct 
a radically socialist society where all 
property was socially controlled. This 
was the only way through which they 
would free themselves from capitalist 
exploitation.
 Q4. Describe in brief the Russian empire 
in 1914.
 Ans. The Russian empire in 1914 was 
ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Besides the 
territory around Moscow, the Russian 
empire included current day Finland, 
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, parts 
of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. It 
stretched to the Pacific and comprised 
today’s Central Asian states, as well 
as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 
The majority religion was the Russian 
Orthodox Christianity but the empire 
also included Catholics, Protestants, 
Muslims and Buddhists.
 Q5. How were workers in Russia a divided 
social group? What was unique about 
them? [HOTS]
 Ans. Workers in Russia were divided 
by skill. Metal workers considered 
themselves aristocrats among other 
workers. Their occupation demanded 
more training and skill. Women made 
up 31 per cent of the factory labour 
force by 1914, but they were paid less 
than men. Divisions among workers 
showed themselves in dress and 
manners too. Some workers formed 
associations to help members in times 
of unemployment or financial hardship.
   Despite divisions, workers did unite 
to strike work when they disagreed 
with employers about dismissals of 
work conditions. This was a unique 
thing in them.
 Q6. How were the Bolsheviks different 
from the Mensheviks? Give three 
points.
 Ans. 
Bolsheviks Mensheviks
 (i)  They were led 
by Vladimir 
Lenin.
 (i)  They were 
led by 
Alexander 
Kerenskii.
(ii)   They 
constituted a 
majority of the 
socialists.
(ii)   They 
represented 
a minority 
group.
(iii)  They thought 
that in a 
repressive 
society like 
Tsarist Russia, 
the party 
should be 
disciplined and 
should control 
the number and 
quality of its 
members. 
(iii)  They, on 
the other 
hand, 
thought that 
the party 
should be 
open to all.
 Q7. How did the First World War affect the 
industry in Russia?
 Ans. The First World War badly hit the 
Russian industries. Russia’s own 
industries were few in number and 
the country was cut off from other 
suppliers of industrial goods by 
German control of the Baltic Sea. 
Industrial equipment disintegrated 
more rapidly in Russia than elsewhere 
in Europe. By 1916, railway lines 
began to break down. Able-bodied 
men were called up to the war. As a 
result, there were labour shortages 
and small workshops producing 
essentials were shut down. Large 
supplies of grain were sent to feed the 
army. Thus, bread and flour became 
scarce for the people in the cities.
Page 2


private capitalists. This would finally 
destroy the rule of private property. 
Marx wanted the workers to construct 
a radically socialist society where all 
property was socially controlled. This 
was the only way through which they 
would free themselves from capitalist 
exploitation.
 Q4. Describe in brief the Russian empire 
in 1914.
 Ans. The Russian empire in 1914 was 
ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Besides the 
territory around Moscow, the Russian 
empire included current day Finland, 
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, parts 
of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. It 
stretched to the Pacific and comprised 
today’s Central Asian states, as well 
as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 
The majority religion was the Russian 
Orthodox Christianity but the empire 
also included Catholics, Protestants, 
Muslims and Buddhists.
 Q5. How were workers in Russia a divided 
social group? What was unique about 
them? [HOTS]
 Ans. Workers in Russia were divided 
by skill. Metal workers considered 
themselves aristocrats among other 
workers. Their occupation demanded 
more training and skill. Women made 
up 31 per cent of the factory labour 
force by 1914, but they were paid less 
than men. Divisions among workers 
showed themselves in dress and 
manners too. Some workers formed 
associations to help members in times 
of unemployment or financial hardship.
   Despite divisions, workers did unite 
to strike work when they disagreed 
with employers about dismissals of 
work conditions. This was a unique 
thing in them.
 Q6. How were the Bolsheviks different 
from the Mensheviks? Give three 
points.
 Ans. 
Bolsheviks Mensheviks
 (i)  They were led 
by Vladimir 
Lenin.
 (i)  They were 
led by 
Alexander 
Kerenskii.
(ii)   They 
constituted a 
majority of the 
socialists.
(ii)   They 
represented 
a minority 
group.
(iii)  They thought 
that in a 
repressive 
society like 
Tsarist Russia, 
the party 
should be 
disciplined and 
should control 
the number and 
quality of its 
members. 
(iii)  They, on 
the other 
hand, 
thought that 
the party 
should be 
open to all.
 Q7. How did the First World War affect the 
industry in Russia?
 Ans. The First World War badly hit the 
Russian industries. Russia’s own 
industries were few in number and 
the country was cut off from other 
suppliers of industrial goods by 
German control of the Baltic Sea. 
Industrial equipment disintegrated 
more rapidly in Russia than elsewhere 
in Europe. By 1916, railway lines 
began to break down. Able-bodied 
men were called up to the war. As a 
result, there were labour shortages 
and small workshops producing 
essentials were shut down. Large 
supplies of grain were sent to feed the 
army. Thus, bread and flour became 
scarce for the people in the cities.
 Q8. Explain Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.
Or
  Explain the main demands of ‘April 
Theses’. [HOTS]
 Ans. After the downfall of the monarchy 
in Russia in February 1917, the 
Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin 
returned to Russia from his exile in 
April 1917. He felt that it was time 
for Soviets to take over power. He put 
three demands which were known as 
Lenin’s ‘April Theses’. They were:
 (i) The war (First World War) be brought 
to an end.
 (ii) Land be transferred to the peasants.
 (iii) The banks be nationalised.
  When Lenin came to power he became 
active to bring changes. Banks were 
nationalised in November 1917. This 
meant that the government took over 
ownership and management. Land 
was declared social property and 
peasants were allowed to seize the 
land of the nobility. In March 1918, 
despite opposition by their political 
allies, the Bolsheviks made peace 
with Germany at Brest Litovsk.
 Q9. What steps were taken by the 
Bolsheviks to make Russia a socialist 
society?
 Ans. The steps taken by the Bolsheviks 
to make Russia a socialist society 
were:
 (i) The Bolsheviks kept industries and 
banks nationalised. They permitted 
peasants to cultivate the land that 
had been socialised. The Bolsheviks 
used confiscated land to demonstrate 
what collective work could be.
 (ii) A process of centralised planning 
was introduced. Officials assessed 
how the economy could work and 
set targets for a five-year period. On 
this basis they made the Five Year 
Plans. The government fixed all prices 
to promote industrial growth during 
the first two ‘plans’ – 1927-1932 and 
1933-1938. Centralised planning 
led to economic growth. Industrial 
production increased. New factory 
cities came into being.
 (iii) An extended schooling system 
was developed and arrangements 
were made for factory workers and 
peasants to enter universities. Cheap 
public health care was provided. 
Model living quarters were set up 
for workers.
 Q10. How did peasants react to Stalin’s 
collectivisation programme? How were 
they treated? [HOTS]
 Ans. Stalin’s collectivisation programme 
enraged peasants. They were not 
ready to cultivate in collective farms. 
Hence, they resisted the authorities 
and destroyed their livestock. 
Between 1929 and 1931, the number 
of cattle fell by one-third. As they 
resisted collectivisation, peasants 
argued that they were not rich and 
they were not against socialism. 
They merely did not want to work in 
collective farms.
  Those, who resisted collectivisation, 
were severely punished. Many were 
deported and exiled.
 Q11. How were Russian peasants different 
from other European peasants?[HOTS]
 Ans. (i) In Russia, peasants wanted the 
land of the nobles to be given to 
them. Frequently, they refused to pay 
rent and even murdered landlords. 
Thus, they did not respect nobles. 
But in Europe, peasants respected 
nobles and fought for them. 
 (ii) Russian peasants were different from 
other European peasants in another 
way. They pooled their land together 
periodically and their commune (min) 
divided it according to the needs of 
individual families.
 Q12. What were the different notions of 
liberals, radicals and conservatives 
regarding the new formation of the 
Government in Russia? [HOTS]
Or
  State one different ideas each of 
liberals, radical and conservatives.
Page 3


private capitalists. This would finally 
destroy the rule of private property. 
Marx wanted the workers to construct 
a radically socialist society where all 
property was socially controlled. This 
was the only way through which they 
would free themselves from capitalist 
exploitation.
 Q4. Describe in brief the Russian empire 
in 1914.
 Ans. The Russian empire in 1914 was 
ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Besides the 
territory around Moscow, the Russian 
empire included current day Finland, 
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, parts 
of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. It 
stretched to the Pacific and comprised 
today’s Central Asian states, as well 
as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 
The majority religion was the Russian 
Orthodox Christianity but the empire 
also included Catholics, Protestants, 
Muslims and Buddhists.
 Q5. How were workers in Russia a divided 
social group? What was unique about 
them? [HOTS]
 Ans. Workers in Russia were divided 
by skill. Metal workers considered 
themselves aristocrats among other 
workers. Their occupation demanded 
more training and skill. Women made 
up 31 per cent of the factory labour 
force by 1914, but they were paid less 
than men. Divisions among workers 
showed themselves in dress and 
manners too. Some workers formed 
associations to help members in times 
of unemployment or financial hardship.
   Despite divisions, workers did unite 
to strike work when they disagreed 
with employers about dismissals of 
work conditions. This was a unique 
thing in them.
 Q6. How were the Bolsheviks different 
from the Mensheviks? Give three 
points.
 Ans. 
Bolsheviks Mensheviks
 (i)  They were led 
by Vladimir 
Lenin.
 (i)  They were 
led by 
Alexander 
Kerenskii.
(ii)   They 
constituted a 
majority of the 
socialists.
(ii)   They 
represented 
a minority 
group.
(iii)  They thought 
that in a 
repressive 
society like 
Tsarist Russia, 
the party 
should be 
disciplined and 
should control 
the number and 
quality of its 
members. 
(iii)  They, on 
the other 
hand, 
thought that 
the party 
should be 
open to all.
 Q7. How did the First World War affect the 
industry in Russia?
 Ans. The First World War badly hit the 
Russian industries. Russia’s own 
industries were few in number and 
the country was cut off from other 
suppliers of industrial goods by 
German control of the Baltic Sea. 
Industrial equipment disintegrated 
more rapidly in Russia than elsewhere 
in Europe. By 1916, railway lines 
began to break down. Able-bodied 
men were called up to the war. As a 
result, there were labour shortages 
and small workshops producing 
essentials were shut down. Large 
supplies of grain were sent to feed the 
army. Thus, bread and flour became 
scarce for the people in the cities.
 Q8. Explain Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.
Or
  Explain the main demands of ‘April 
Theses’. [HOTS]
 Ans. After the downfall of the monarchy 
in Russia in February 1917, the 
Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin 
returned to Russia from his exile in 
April 1917. He felt that it was time 
for Soviets to take over power. He put 
three demands which were known as 
Lenin’s ‘April Theses’. They were:
 (i) The war (First World War) be brought 
to an end.
 (ii) Land be transferred to the peasants.
 (iii) The banks be nationalised.
  When Lenin came to power he became 
active to bring changes. Banks were 
nationalised in November 1917. This 
meant that the government took over 
ownership and management. Land 
was declared social property and 
peasants were allowed to seize the 
land of the nobility. In March 1918, 
despite opposition by their political 
allies, the Bolsheviks made peace 
with Germany at Brest Litovsk.
 Q9. What steps were taken by the 
Bolsheviks to make Russia a socialist 
society?
 Ans. The steps taken by the Bolsheviks 
to make Russia a socialist society 
were:
 (i) The Bolsheviks kept industries and 
banks nationalised. They permitted 
peasants to cultivate the land that 
had been socialised. The Bolsheviks 
used confiscated land to demonstrate 
what collective work could be.
 (ii) A process of centralised planning 
was introduced. Officials assessed 
how the economy could work and 
set targets for a five-year period. On 
this basis they made the Five Year 
Plans. The government fixed all prices 
to promote industrial growth during 
the first two ‘plans’ – 1927-1932 and 
1933-1938. Centralised planning 
led to economic growth. Industrial 
production increased. New factory 
cities came into being.
 (iii) An extended schooling system 
was developed and arrangements 
were made for factory workers and 
peasants to enter universities. Cheap 
public health care was provided. 
Model living quarters were set up 
for workers.
 Q10. How did peasants react to Stalin’s 
collectivisation programme? How were 
they treated? [HOTS]
 Ans. Stalin’s collectivisation programme 
enraged peasants. They were not 
ready to cultivate in collective farms. 
Hence, they resisted the authorities 
and destroyed their livestock. 
Between 1929 and 1931, the number 
of cattle fell by one-third. As they 
resisted collectivisation, peasants 
argued that they were not rich and 
they were not against socialism. 
They merely did not want to work in 
collective farms.
  Those, who resisted collectivisation, 
were severely punished. Many were 
deported and exiled.
 Q11. How were Russian peasants different 
from other European peasants?[HOTS]
 Ans. (i) In Russia, peasants wanted the 
land of the nobles to be given to 
them. Frequently, they refused to pay 
rent and even murdered landlords. 
Thus, they did not respect nobles. 
But in Europe, peasants respected 
nobles and fought for them. 
 (ii) Russian peasants were different from 
other European peasants in another 
way. They pooled their land together 
periodically and their commune (min) 
divided it according to the needs of 
individual families.
 Q12. What were the different notions of 
liberals, radicals and conservatives 
regarding the new formation of the 
Government in Russia? [HOTS]
Or
  State one different ideas each of 
liberals, radical and conservatives.
 Ans. Liberals. They opposed the uncontrolled 
power of dynastic rulers. They wanted 
to safeguard the rights of individuals 
against governments. They argued for 
a representative, elected parliamentary 
government, subject to laws interpreted 
by a well trained judiciary that was 
independent of rulers and officials. 
However, they did not believe in 
universal adult franchise. They felt 
men of property mainly should have 
the vote.
  Radicals. Unlike liberals, they 
opposed the privileges of great land-
owners and wealthy factory-owners. 
They were not against the existence 
of private property but disliked 
concentration of property in the 
hands of a few.
  Conservatives. Earlier, in the 
eighteenth century, conservatives 
had been generally opposed to the 
idea of change. By the nineteenth 
century, they accepted that some 
changes were inevitable but believed 
that past had to be respected and 
change had to be brought about by 
a slow process.
 Q13. What are the vision of Robert Owen and 
Louis Blanc related to Cooperatives? 
Explain. [HOTS]
 Ans.(i) Robert Owen was a leading English 
manufacturer who sought to construct 
cooperative community called New 
Harmony in Indiana (USA). He felt that 
the government should also help such 
cooperatives and encourage.
 (ii) Louis Blanc was also a nationalist who 
wanted the government to encourage 
cooperatives and replace capitalist 
enterprises. According to him, the 
cooperation should be formed with 
the cooperation of the people and its 
profit should be divided as per the 
work done by members.
 Q14. Describe the condition of the working 
women during the years from 1900 to 
1930 in Russia. [HOTS]
 Ans. Condition of the working women in 
Russia:
  (i) Working women took active part in the 
revolution and often inspired their male  
co-workers.
 (ii)  Women made up 31% of factory 
labour.
 (iii)  They were paid less than their male 
counterparts.
 (iv)  During February Revolution, the 
women workers led the way to strikes.
 (v)  22nd February was called International 
Women’s Day.
IV. Long Answer Type Questions
 Q1. What situation did Russia face during 
the First World War?
 Ans. (i) Russia faced a very tough situation 
during the First World War. The war 
on the ‘eastern front’ differed from 
that on the ‘western front’.
 (ii) In the west, armies fought from 
trenches stretched along eastern 
France.
 (iii) In the east, armies moved a good 
deal and fought battles leaving large 
casualties.
 (iv) Defeats were shocking and 
demoralising. Russia’s armies lost 
badly in Germany and Austria 
between 1914 and 1916.
 (v) There were over 7 million casualties 
by 1917. As they retreated, the 
Russian army destroyed crops and 
buildings to prevent the enemy from 
being able to live off the land.
 (vi) The destruction of crops and 
buildings led to over 3 million 
refugees in Russia. The situation 
discredited the government and the 
Tsar. Soldiers did not wish to fight 
such a war.
 (vii) Russia’s industries were badly 
affected. The country was cut off from 
other suppliers of industrial goods by 
German control of the Baltic Sea.
 (viii) By 1916, railway lines began to break 
down. There was acute shortage of 
bread and flour in cities. Riots at 
Page 4


private capitalists. This would finally 
destroy the rule of private property. 
Marx wanted the workers to construct 
a radically socialist society where all 
property was socially controlled. This 
was the only way through which they 
would free themselves from capitalist 
exploitation.
 Q4. Describe in brief the Russian empire 
in 1914.
 Ans. The Russian empire in 1914 was 
ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Besides the 
territory around Moscow, the Russian 
empire included current day Finland, 
Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, parts 
of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. It 
stretched to the Pacific and comprised 
today’s Central Asian states, as well 
as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. 
The majority religion was the Russian 
Orthodox Christianity but the empire 
also included Catholics, Protestants, 
Muslims and Buddhists.
 Q5. How were workers in Russia a divided 
social group? What was unique about 
them? [HOTS]
 Ans. Workers in Russia were divided 
by skill. Metal workers considered 
themselves aristocrats among other 
workers. Their occupation demanded 
more training and skill. Women made 
up 31 per cent of the factory labour 
force by 1914, but they were paid less 
than men. Divisions among workers 
showed themselves in dress and 
manners too. Some workers formed 
associations to help members in times 
of unemployment or financial hardship.
   Despite divisions, workers did unite 
to strike work when they disagreed 
with employers about dismissals of 
work conditions. This was a unique 
thing in them.
 Q6. How were the Bolsheviks different 
from the Mensheviks? Give three 
points.
 Ans. 
Bolsheviks Mensheviks
 (i)  They were led 
by Vladimir 
Lenin.
 (i)  They were 
led by 
Alexander 
Kerenskii.
(ii)   They 
constituted a 
majority of the 
socialists.
(ii)   They 
represented 
a minority 
group.
(iii)  They thought 
that in a 
repressive 
society like 
Tsarist Russia, 
the party 
should be 
disciplined and 
should control 
the number and 
quality of its 
members. 
(iii)  They, on 
the other 
hand, 
thought that 
the party 
should be 
open to all.
 Q7. How did the First World War affect the 
industry in Russia?
 Ans. The First World War badly hit the 
Russian industries. Russia’s own 
industries were few in number and 
the country was cut off from other 
suppliers of industrial goods by 
German control of the Baltic Sea. 
Industrial equipment disintegrated 
more rapidly in Russia than elsewhere 
in Europe. By 1916, railway lines 
began to break down. Able-bodied 
men were called up to the war. As a 
result, there were labour shortages 
and small workshops producing 
essentials were shut down. Large 
supplies of grain were sent to feed the 
army. Thus, bread and flour became 
scarce for the people in the cities.
 Q8. Explain Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.
Or
  Explain the main demands of ‘April 
Theses’. [HOTS]
 Ans. After the downfall of the monarchy 
in Russia in February 1917, the 
Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin 
returned to Russia from his exile in 
April 1917. He felt that it was time 
for Soviets to take over power. He put 
three demands which were known as 
Lenin’s ‘April Theses’. They were:
 (i) The war (First World War) be brought 
to an end.
 (ii) Land be transferred to the peasants.
 (iii) The banks be nationalised.
  When Lenin came to power he became 
active to bring changes. Banks were 
nationalised in November 1917. This 
meant that the government took over 
ownership and management. Land 
was declared social property and 
peasants were allowed to seize the 
land of the nobility. In March 1918, 
despite opposition by their political 
allies, the Bolsheviks made peace 
with Germany at Brest Litovsk.
 Q9. What steps were taken by the 
Bolsheviks to make Russia a socialist 
society?
 Ans. The steps taken by the Bolsheviks 
to make Russia a socialist society 
were:
 (i) The Bolsheviks kept industries and 
banks nationalised. They permitted 
peasants to cultivate the land that 
had been socialised. The Bolsheviks 
used confiscated land to demonstrate 
what collective work could be.
 (ii) A process of centralised planning 
was introduced. Officials assessed 
how the economy could work and 
set targets for a five-year period. On 
this basis they made the Five Year 
Plans. The government fixed all prices 
to promote industrial growth during 
the first two ‘plans’ – 1927-1932 and 
1933-1938. Centralised planning 
led to economic growth. Industrial 
production increased. New factory 
cities came into being.
 (iii) An extended schooling system 
was developed and arrangements 
were made for factory workers and 
peasants to enter universities. Cheap 
public health care was provided. 
Model living quarters were set up 
for workers.
 Q10. How did peasants react to Stalin’s 
collectivisation programme? How were 
they treated? [HOTS]
 Ans. Stalin’s collectivisation programme 
enraged peasants. They were not 
ready to cultivate in collective farms. 
Hence, they resisted the authorities 
and destroyed their livestock. 
Between 1929 and 1931, the number 
of cattle fell by one-third. As they 
resisted collectivisation, peasants 
argued that they were not rich and 
they were not against socialism. 
They merely did not want to work in 
collective farms.
  Those, who resisted collectivisation, 
were severely punished. Many were 
deported and exiled.
 Q11. How were Russian peasants different 
from other European peasants?[HOTS]
 Ans. (i) In Russia, peasants wanted the 
land of the nobles to be given to 
them. Frequently, they refused to pay 
rent and even murdered landlords. 
Thus, they did not respect nobles. 
But in Europe, peasants respected 
nobles and fought for them. 
 (ii) Russian peasants were different from 
other European peasants in another 
way. They pooled their land together 
periodically and their commune (min) 
divided it according to the needs of 
individual families.
 Q12. What were the different notions of 
liberals, radicals and conservatives 
regarding the new formation of the 
Government in Russia? [HOTS]
Or
  State one different ideas each of 
liberals, radical and conservatives.
 Ans. Liberals. They opposed the uncontrolled 
power of dynastic rulers. They wanted 
to safeguard the rights of individuals 
against governments. They argued for 
a representative, elected parliamentary 
government, subject to laws interpreted 
by a well trained judiciary that was 
independent of rulers and officials. 
However, they did not believe in 
universal adult franchise. They felt 
men of property mainly should have 
the vote.
  Radicals. Unlike liberals, they 
opposed the privileges of great land-
owners and wealthy factory-owners. 
They were not against the existence 
of private property but disliked 
concentration of property in the 
hands of a few.
  Conservatives. Earlier, in the 
eighteenth century, conservatives 
had been generally opposed to the 
idea of change. By the nineteenth 
century, they accepted that some 
changes were inevitable but believed 
that past had to be respected and 
change had to be brought about by 
a slow process.
 Q13. What are the vision of Robert Owen and 
Louis Blanc related to Cooperatives? 
Explain. [HOTS]
 Ans.(i) Robert Owen was a leading English 
manufacturer who sought to construct 
cooperative community called New 
Harmony in Indiana (USA). He felt that 
the government should also help such 
cooperatives and encourage.
 (ii) Louis Blanc was also a nationalist who 
wanted the government to encourage 
cooperatives and replace capitalist 
enterprises. According to him, the 
cooperation should be formed with 
the cooperation of the people and its 
profit should be divided as per the 
work done by members.
 Q14. Describe the condition of the working 
women during the years from 1900 to 
1930 in Russia. [HOTS]
 Ans. Condition of the working women in 
Russia:
  (i) Working women took active part in the 
revolution and often inspired their male  
co-workers.
 (ii)  Women made up 31% of factory 
labour.
 (iii)  They were paid less than their male 
counterparts.
 (iv)  During February Revolution, the 
women workers led the way to strikes.
 (v)  22nd February was called International 
Women’s Day.
IV. Long Answer Type Questions
 Q1. What situation did Russia face during 
the First World War?
 Ans. (i) Russia faced a very tough situation 
during the First World War. The war 
on the ‘eastern front’ differed from 
that on the ‘western front’.
 (ii) In the west, armies fought from 
trenches stretched along eastern 
France.
 (iii) In the east, armies moved a good 
deal and fought battles leaving large 
casualties.
 (iv) Defeats were shocking and 
demoralising. Russia’s armies lost 
badly in Germany and Austria 
between 1914 and 1916.
 (v) There were over 7 million casualties 
by 1917. As they retreated, the 
Russian army destroyed crops and 
buildings to prevent the enemy from 
being able to live off the land.
 (vi) The destruction of crops and 
buildings led to over 3 million 
refugees in Russia. The situation 
discredited the government and the 
Tsar. Soldiers did not wish to fight 
such a war.
 (vii) Russia’s industries were badly 
affected. The country was cut off from 
other suppliers of industrial goods by 
German control of the Baltic Sea.
 (viii) By 1916, railway lines began to break 
down. There was acute shortage of 
bread and flour in cities. Riots at 
bread shops were common by the 
winter of 1916.
 Q2. How was Kerenskii’s provisional 
government overthrown by the 
Bolsheviks in October 1917?
Or
  Why did the Karenskil government fall 
in Russia?
 Ans. (i) There was severe conflict between 
Kerenskii’s provisional government 
and the Bolsheviks. Lenin feared 
that Kerenskii would set up a 
dictatorship. In September, he 
began discussions for an uprising 
against the government. Bolshevik 
supporters in the army, soviets and 
factories were brought together.
 (ii) On 16 October 1917, Lenin 
persuaded the Petrograd Soviet 
and the Bolshevik Party to agree 
to a socialist seizure of power. A 
military revolutionary committee was 
appointed by the Soviet under Leon 
Trotskii to organise the seizure. The 
date of the event was kept a secret.
 (iii) The uprising began on 24 October. 
Military men loyal to Kerenskii’s 
government seized the buildings of 
two Bolshevik newspapers. They 
were sent to take over telephone 
and telegraph offices and protect the 
Winter Palace.
 (iv) The Military Revolutionary Committee 
acted swiftly. It ordered its supporters 
to seize government offices and arrest 
ministers. Late in the day, the ship 
Aurora shelled the Winter Palace. 
Other vessels sailed down the Neva 
and took over various military points. 
By nightfall, the city was under the 
committee’s control and ministers 
had surrendered.
 (v) The Bolshevik action was approved 
by the All-Russian Congress of 
Soviets in Petrograd. Uprisings took 
place in other cities too. And by 
December, the Bolsheviks controlled 
the Moscow-Petrograd area.
 Q3. What do you know about Bloody 
Sunday? What is its significance in 
the history of Russia? [HOTS]
 Ans. Russian workers were deeply 
dissatisfied because in 1904, prices 
of essential goods rose so quickly 
that real wages declined by 20 per 
cent. Their grievances aggravated 
when four members of the Assembly 
of Russian workers were dismissed 
at the Putilov Iron works. They went 
on strike demanding a reduction in 
the working day to eight hours, an 
increase in wages and improvement 
in working conditions. When the 
procession of workers reached the 
Winter Palace it was attacked by the 
police and the Cossacks. Over 100 
workers were killed and about 300 
wounded. This incident came to be 
known as Bloody Sunday.
   The incident had a great significance 
in the history of Russia, because 
it started a series of events that 
is known as the 1905 Revolution. 
Strikes took place all over the 
country and universities closed 
down. Lawyers, doctors, engineers 
and other middle-class workers 
established the Union of Unions and 
demanded a Constituent Assembly. 
This led to the creation of Duma or 
an elected consultative Parliament in 
Russia. The workers finally formed 
an organisation known as ‘Soviet’ 
or ‘Council’. This was the Petrograd 
Soviet. These workers played an 
important role in the downfall of the 
Tsarist autocracy in Russia in 1917.
 Q4. What was the global impact of the 
Russian Revolution? [HOTS]
 Ans. (i) Russia became the first country 
to establish a communist state. Soon 
after it, communist parties were 
formed in many countries.
 (ii) The Bolsheviks encouraged colonial 
peoples to follow their experiment.
 (iii) Many non-Russians from outside the 
USSR participated in the Conference 
of the Peoples of the East (1920) and 
the Bolshevik-founded Comintern, an