Chapter 2: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution - NCERT Solutions
Exercise
Q1. What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Answer - Before 1905, Russia was marked by deep social, economic, and political problems:
● Socially, most Russians were peasants living in poverty under feudal-like conditions with limited rights.
● Economically, Russia was largely agrarian with slow industrial growth; working conditions were harsh and wages low.
● Politically, Tsar Nicholas II ruled as an autocrat with absolute power, suppressing political freedoms and any opposition.
● There was no representative government, and the majority had no say in decision-making.
● These conditions caused widespread dissatisfaction and unrest.
● Socially, most Russians were peasants living in poverty under feudal-like conditions with limited rights.
● Economically, Russia was largely agrarian with slow industrial growth; working conditions were harsh and wages low.
● Politically, Tsar Nicholas II ruled as an autocrat with absolute power, suppressing political freedoms and any opposition.
● There was no representative government, and the majority had no say in decision-making.
● These conditions caused widespread dissatisfaction and unrest.
Q2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
Answer - The working population in Russia differed from other European countries in several ways:
● The Russian workforce was mostly unskilled and poorly paid, unlike more skilled workers in Western Europe.
● A large number of workers were peasants who had migrated to cities but still had ties to rural life.
● Working conditions were worse with little or no labour rights or protections.
● The political repression was harsher, with limited trade unions and no political representation for workers.
● The working class was smaller but rapidly growing due to industrialization.
● The Russian workforce was mostly unskilled and poorly paid, unlike more skilled workers in Western Europe.
● A large number of workers were peasants who had migrated to cities but still had ties to rural life.
● Working conditions were worse with little or no labour rights or protections.
● The political repression was harsher, with limited trade unions and no political representation for workers.
● The working class was smaller but rapidly growing due to industrialization.
Q3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
Answer - The collapse of the Tsarist autocracy in 1917 happened due to multiple reasons:
● The defeat and heavy losses in World War I weakened the government and economy.
● Food shortages and inflation caused suffering among workers and peasants.
● The Tsar’s inability to manage war and domestic issues led to loss of support from the army and political elites.
● The 1917 February Revolution began with strikes and protests, which escalated as the army sided with the people.
● The Tsar abdicated, ending centuries of autocratic rule.
● The defeat and heavy losses in World War I weakened the government and economy.
● Food shortages and inflation caused suffering among workers and peasants.
● The Tsar’s inability to manage war and domestic issues led to loss of support from the army and political elites.
● The 1917 February Revolution began with strikes and protests, which escalated as the army sided with the people.
● The Tsar abdicated, ending centuries of autocratic 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 were the leaders and what was the impact of each on Soviet history.
Answer - February Revolution:
● Main events:
● Strikes and protests in Petrograd over food shortages and war.
● Soldiers joined protesters.
● The Tsar abdicated.
● Effects:
● End of Tsarist autocracy.
● Formation of Provisional Government.
October Revolution:
● Main events:
● Bolsheviks led by Lenin seized key government buildings.
● Overthrow of Provisional Government.
● Effects:
● Beginning of communist rule.
Both revolutions involved workers, soldiers, and peasants. The February Revolution was led by liberal politicians and moderate socialists aiming for democracy. The October Revolution was led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks who sought to establish a communist state. The February Revolution ended autocracy but failed to solve economic problems, paving the way for the October Revolution, which transformed Russia into the Soviet Union.
● Main events:
● Strikes and protests in Petrograd over food shortages and war.
● Soldiers joined protesters.
● The Tsar abdicated.
● Effects:
● End of Tsarist autocracy.
● Formation of Provisional Government.
October Revolution:
● Main events:
● Bolsheviks led by Lenin seized key government buildings.
● Overthrow of Provisional Government.
● Effects:
● Beginning of communist rule.
Both revolutions involved workers, soldiers, and peasants. The February Revolution was led by liberal politicians and moderate socialists aiming for democracy. The October Revolution was led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks who sought to establish a communist state. The February Revolution ended autocracy but failed to solve economic problems, paving the way for the October Revolution, which transformed Russia into the Soviet Union.
Q5. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
Answer - The Bolsheviks implemented several key changes after the October Revolution:
● They withdrew Russia from World War I by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
● Land was taken from landlords and redistributed among peasants.
● Factories were placed under workers’ control.
● A one-party communist state was established, banning opposition.
● The Bolsheviks began nationalizing banks and industries.
● They withdrew Russia from World War I by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
● Land was taken from landlords and redistributed among peasants.
● Factories were placed under workers’ control.
● A one-party communist state was established, banning opposition.
● The Bolsheviks began nationalizing banks and industries.
Q6. Write a few lines to show what you know about:
kulaks
the Duma
women workers between 1900 and 1930
the Liberals
Stalin’s collectivisation programme.
kulaks
the Duma
women workers between 1900 and 1930
the Liberals
Stalin’s collectivisation programme.
Answer - Kulaks:
● Wealthier peasants who owned larger farms and employed labor.
The Duma:
● A legislative assembly created after 1905 to give limited political representation.
Women workers between 1900 and 1930:
● Women joined factories in large numbers, often working long hours for low pay.
The Liberals:
● Political group that wanted constitutional monarchy and reforms but not full socialism.
Stalin’s collectivisation programme:
● A policy in the late 1920s to consolidate individual farms into large collective farms, aiming to increase agricultural productivity but leading to widespread famine and suffering.
● Wealthier peasants who owned larger farms and employed labor.
The Duma:
● A legislative assembly created after 1905 to give limited political representation.
Women workers between 1900 and 1930:
● Women joined factories in large numbers, often working long hours for low pay.
The Liberals:
● Political group that wanted constitutional monarchy and reforms but not full socialism.
Stalin’s collectivisation programme:
● A policy in the late 1920s to consolidate individual farms into large collective farms, aiming to increase agricultural productivity but leading to widespread famine and suffering.