Class 9 History Chapter 2 Extra Question Answers - Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Q1. What was the condition of Russia during the First World War?

Ans: Conditions of Russia during the First World War are as follows:

• In Russia the war was initially popular and the policies of Tsar Nicholas II were supported by the people.
• The First World War on the 'Eastern front' differed from that on the 'Western front'. In the West, armies fought from trenches, but in the East, armies moved a good deal and fought battles leaving large casualties.
• Russia's army lost badly in Germany and Austria between 1914 and 1916. There were over 7 million casualties by 1917.
• As the German armies moved forward, the Russian army destroyed crops and buildings to prevent the enemy to enter easily.
• The situation discredited the Russian government and Tsar. The Russian Soldier did not wish to fight such a War. 

Q2. What were the social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905?

Ans:

Social Conditions:

• Russian society was divided into three main classes: the clergy, nobility, and the working class.
• Although serfdom was abolished in 1861, peasants, who made up 85% of the population, faced heavy taxes for their small land holdings.

Economic Conditions:

• Following industrialisation, numerous factories were established by industrialists.
• Workers earned minimal wages and often worked up to 15 hours a day, leading to miserable living conditions.
• The state treasury was nearly bankrupt due to excessive spending.

Political Conditions:

• Tsar Nicholas II ruled under an autocratic regime, with a vast and feudal empire.
• The defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 significantly damaged the Tsar's prestige.

Q3. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917? Or Explain any five differences between the peasants of Russia and peasants of Europe.

Ans: The working population in Russia differed from other European countries in several key ways:

• High Proportion of Agriculturists: Approximately 85% of Russians were engaged in agriculture, compared to 40-50% in France and Germany.
• Delayed Industrialisation: Industrial development in Russia began later and was concentrated in small areas.
• Social Division Among Workers: Russian workers maintained strong ties to their villages, whereas the industrial revolution in Europe transitioned society from rural to urban.
• Long Working Hours: Workers in Russia sometimes faced 15-hour shifts, compared to 10-12 hours in Europe.
• Attitude Towards Nobility: Unlike their European counterparts, Russian peasants often disrespected nobles and sought to seize their land.

Q4. Describe the main events of the October Revolution in Russia.

Ans: The main events of the October Revolution in Russia were:

• On 16 October 1917, Lenin convinced the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to support a socialist seizure of power. A Military Revolutionary Committee was formed, led by Leon Trotsky.
• The uprising started on 24 October. In response to the threat, Prime Minister Kerensky left the city to gather troops. Pro-government forces attempted to seize control of key locations, including telephone and telegraph offices.
• The Military Revolutionary Committee ordered its supporters to take over government offices and arrest ministers. By nightfall, the city was under the committee's control, and the ministers had surrendered.
• The All Russian Congress of Soviets met in Petrograd and approved the Bolshevik actions. Uprisings also occurred in other cities, with heavy fighting, particularly in Moscow. By December, the Bolsheviks had established control over the Moscow-Petrograd area.

Q5. What was Communist International?

Ans: The Communist International, also known as the Third International, was established in March 1919 in Moscow, following the First World War. It was initiated by the Bolsheviks after the October Revolution in Russia during a period of revolutionary activity in Central Europe.

• Its main goals included:
  • Uniting workers globally
  • Setting daily work hours
  • Opposing imperialism and colonialism
  • Fighting against oppression and wars
  • Promoting revolution
• Under its influence, various communist parties were formed worldwide.
• The Communist International was dissolved in June 1943.

Q6. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?

Ans: The main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution included:

• Nationalisation of most industries and banks, meaning the government took control of ownership and management.
• Confiscation of lands owned by the clergy and nobility, declaring them as state property.
• Partitioning of large houses in cities to accommodate multiple families.
• A ban on the use of old aristocratic titles.
• Introduction of new uniforms for the army and officials, including the iconic Soviet hat.
• Renaming of the Bolshevik Party to the Russian Communist Party, establishing a one-party state.
• Transformation of the Russian Congress of Soviets into the country's Parliament.

Q7. Why were there revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905? What were the demands of the revolutionaries?

Ans: The revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905 were caused by several factors:

• Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904, highlighting the weaknesses of the Russian army.
• Rising prices of essential goods led to a 20% decline in real wages.
• Dismissals of workers at the Putilov Iron Works sparked outrage.
• A peaceful procession of workers, led by Father Gapon, was attacked by police at the Winter Palace, resulting in over 100 deaths and 300 injuries. This incident, known as Bloody Sunday, ignited widespread unrest.

The revolutionaries had specific demands:

• A reduction in daily working hours to eight.
• An increase in wages.
• Improved working conditions.

Q8. Explain the views of socialists on private property. Name the international body set up to spread and coordinate their efforts. Or Explain the views of the socialists on private property with special emphasis on Karl Marx. Name the International body set up to spread and coordinate their efforts.

Ans: Socialists oppose private property, viewing it as the source of many social problems. Their key beliefs include:

• Private property is seen as detrimental to society, prioritising individual gain over collective welfare.
• Socialists advocate for collective ownership, where property is controlled by society as a whole.
• Karl Marx argued that in a capitalist system, factories are owned by capitalists, who profit from the labour of workers.
• He believed that workers must overthrow capitalism and the dominance of private property.
• Marx envisioned a socialist society where all property is socially controlled, leading to a communist future.
• He predicted that workers would ultimately prevail in their struggle against capitalists, establishing a 'dictatorship of the proletariat'.

To coordinate their efforts, socialists established the Second International in the late 19th century.

Q9. Explain the ideology of the three power groups present in Russian society, i.e., the Liberals, the Radicals and the conservatives. Or What were the different notions of Liberals, Radicals and Conservatives regarding the new formation of the Government in Russia? Discuss.? Or In which three ways were Liberals of the 19th century different from Radicals of that period? Explain.

Ans:

Liberals

• Advocated for a secular nation that tolerated all religions.
• Opposed religious discrimination and the unchecked power of dynastic rulers.
• Supported a representative, elected parliamentary government with an independent judiciary.
• Did not believe in universal adult suffrage; they felt only property-owning men should vote and opposed women's voting rights.

Radicals

• Desired a government based on the majority of the population, supporting universal suffrage, including women's rights.
• Opposed the privileges of wealthy landowners and factory owners.
• Did not reject private property but opposed its concentration in the hands of a few.

Conservatives

• Generally opposed both liberals and radicals, resisting change in the 18th century.
• By the 19th century, they acknowledged the inevitability of some change but favoured a gradual approach.
• Valued traditional customs and past practices.

These differing ideologies clashed during the social and political upheavals following the French Revolution, shaping the political landscape of the 19th century.

Q10. Describe the circumstances which were responsible for the Russian Revolution?

Ans: The Russian Revolution refers to a series of revolutions in Russia in 1917. The first revolution in February forced the Emperor to abdicate, leading to a provisional government. In October, a second revolution replaced this government with a Bolshevik regime. Key circumstances that contributed to the Russian Revolution include:

• Limited Industry: Russia had few industries, and workers faced severe exploitation.
• Peasant Poverty: About 85% of the population were peasants, living in dire conditions while nobles and the church owned vast lands.
• Autocratic Rule: Tsar Nicholas II was a conservative ruler who maintained a strict authoritarian regime and showed little concern for the people's welfare.
• Impact of World War I: The Tsar's decision to enter the First World War exacerbated existing social and economic issues.

Q11. Mention the values which are associated with Stalin's collectivization programme. Mention three values.

Ans: By 1927-1928, Soviet towns faced a severe grain shortage. In response, Stalin launched a collectivization programme. Starting in 1929, all peasants were compelled to work on collective farms, known as kolkhoz. This involved transferring land and tools to these farms and targeting the wealthy kulaks, or rich farmers. The key values associated with Stalin's collectivization programme include:

• Promotion of State-Controlled Farms: This aimed to boost production and address grain shortages.
• Transfer of Land Ownership: Land was taken from individual peasants to create state-run collective farms.
• Elimination of Social Classes: The programme sought to remove the kulaks, the affluent peasant class in Russia.

Q12. What were the impacts of the Russian Revolution on Russia? Or Explain any five effects of the Russian Revolution of 1917 on Russia?

Ans: Impacts of the Russian Revolution on Russia:

• The Russian Revolution ended the autocratic Tsarist rule and abolished the Romanov dynasty.
• It established the world's first communist government.
• The new Soviet Government withdrew from World War I.
• Nationalisation of all industries and private lands was announced, with banks, mines, and railways becoming state property.
• Under Stalin, planned economic development began, introducing the collectivisation of agriculture in 1929, forcing peasants onto collective farms.
• This planned economy transformed the USSR into a powerful industrial nation by the Second World War, significantly reducing poverty.

Q13. What was the root of all evils in society, according to socialism?

Ans: According to socialism, the root of all evils in society is private property.

Socialists argue that:

• Private property leads to social ills.
• Individuals prioritise personal gain over the welfare of others.
• Collective control of property would benefit society as a whole.

They advocate for a system where property is owned collectively, promoting the common good rather than individual profit.

Q14. What was the boundary of the Russian empire during 1914?

Ans: In 1914, the Russian Empire was extensive, encompassing:

• Territory around Moscow
• Present-day Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia
• Parts of Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus
• Regions of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
• Stretched to the Pacific and included Central Asian states

The majority of the population practised Russian Orthodox Christianity, alongside various other religions such as Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and Buddhism.

Q15. What was the significance of the Russian Revolution?

Ans: The Russian Revolution was significant for several reasons:

• The establishment of a socialist state marked a major shift in governance.
• It inspired other movements globally, promoting the idea of socialism.
• The revolution challenged traditional power structures and monarchies.
• It led to the rise of the Bolsheviks, who implemented radical changes in society.

Q16. List the religious groups in Russia at the time of Tsar Nicholas II.

Ans: During the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, the main religious group in Russia was Russian Orthodox Christianity. Other religious communities included:

• Catholics
• Protestants
• Muslims
• Buddhists

Q17. What were the April Theses of Lenin?

Ans: In his April Theses, Lenin outlined three key demands:

• End the war immediately.
• Transfer land to the peasants.
• Nationalise banks.

He also suggested that the Bolshevik Party change its name to the Communist Party to reflect its new radical goals. Initially, many in the party were surprised by these ideas, believing it was too early for a socialist revolution. However, as events unfolded, their perspective shifted.

Q18. When did the Bolsheviks make peace with Germany at Brest-Litovsk?

Ans: In March 1918, the Bolsheviks made peace with Germany at Brest-Litovsk, despite facing opposition from their political allies.

Q19. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?

Ans: The collapse of the Tsarist autocracy in 1917 was driven by a combination of social, economic, and political factors:

• Social Reasons:
  • The First World War caused significant defeats for the Russian army, resulting in over 7 million casualties and 3 million refugees by 1917.
  • These losses led to widespread hostility towards Tsar Nicholas II.
• Economic Reasons:
  • Labour shortages arose as many men were conscripted for the war, causing many small factories to close.
  • Large amounts of grain were redirected to feed the army, leading to scarcity of bread and flour in cities.
  • This resulted in riots at bread shops and growing dissatisfaction with the Tsar's policies.
• Political Reasons:
  • Tsar Nicholas II was viewed as an inefficient and weak ruler who believed in the Divine Right of Kings.
  • The bureaucracy enjoyed special privileges, while the general public did not.
  • The imposition of Russian language and culture on various nationalities fostered resentment against the Tsar and his corrupt administration.

These factors collectively discredited the government and ultimately led to the end of the Tsarist autocracy.

Q20. 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 and who were the leaders.

Ans: Events and Effects of the February Revolution

• 22nd February 1917: A factory lockout occurred, leading to a strike by workers from 50 factories the next day.
• 24th and 25th February: Demonstrators returned to the streets but were dispersed by a curfew.
• 25th February: The government suspended the Duma, facing criticism from politicians.
• 26th February: Demonstrators returned in greater numbers.
• 27th February: Workers attacked the Police Headquarters.
• 2nd March: The Tsar abdicated, and Soviet leaders alongside Duma leaders established a Provincial Government.

No political party actively organised the February Revolution. It involved both men and women workers, supported by soldiers.

Events and Effects of the October Revolution

• 16th October 1917: Lenin convinced the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to support a socialist takeover, forming a Military Revolutionary Committee.
• 24th October: The uprising began; military loyalists seized two Bolshevik newspaper buildings.
• Same day: Pro-government troops attempted to secure telephone and telegraph offices and protect the Winter Palace.
• Military Revolutionary Committee: In response, they seized government offices and arrested ministers.
• Navy's role: The navy significantly contributed to the assault on the Winter Palace.
• By nightfall: The city was under the committee's control, and ministers surrendered.
• By December: The Bolsheviks had gained control over the Moscow-Petrograd area.

The October Revolution was primarily led by the Bolsheviks, with Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky as key leaders.