Book Store

Download books and chapters from book store.
Currently only available for.
CBSE Gujarat Board Haryana Board

Previous Year Papers

Download the PDF Question Papers Free for off line practice and view the Solutions online.
Currently only available for.
Class 10 Class 12

Socialism in Europe and the Russia

Why did the Tzarist autocracy collapse in 1917?

The Tzarist autocracy collapsed in 1917 for the following reasons:

(i)There was widespread discontent against the autocratic rule of Czar. The Royal family did not enjoy people's respect because of the influence of the Holy Devil.

(ii)Within Russia, democractic forces which had started raising their voice and became more and more vociferous. But the Czar still considered his sacred duty to preserve absolutism.

(iii)The Russian people wanted the end of war and conclusion of peace. But the Czar, who had already mismanaged the war, still insisted to continue the war.

(iv)The peasants were the worst sufferers. They wanted that cultivable land should be given to the tillers, but the autocratic and corrupt government did not pay any heed to their demands. The working conditions of workers were deplorable.

(v)The people further wrapped an equal states to all the non-Russian nationalities. But Czar followd a Pan-Slavish policy.

1899 Views

In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?

The working population in Russia, before 1917, was different from working population of other European countries in below mentioned ways :

(i) The vast majority of the Russian population were agriculturalists. Around 85% population was engaged in agricultural functions. This percentage was much more than that of other European countries. For example this ratio was 40% and 50% in France and Germany respectively.

(ii) Industrial revolution came in other countries of Europe and most of the industries were in the hands of local people. But in Russia, most of the industries were established with foreign investment. Foreign investors were exploiting the Russian labourers. Condition of labourers was quite pitiable even in those industries which were in the hands of Russian people. They give minimum wages to their labourers to compete with foreign investors.

(iii) Women labourers in Russia were given less wages as compared to other European countries. The working day was sometimes 15 hours. But this condition was completely changed in other European countries due to certain legislations.

(iv)The farms of Russian farmers were quite small as compared to other European countries.

(v)Russian farmers never respected their land lords as they were autocratic in nature. They hated them a lot. Quite often they refused to pay taxes and even killed their land lords. On contrary to this, French farmers were very much in favour of their landlords as they fought in their favour during French Revolution.

2907 Views

What were the social, economic and political conditions of Russia before 1905?

The conditions of Russia before 1905:

(i)Social Condition: At the beginning of the twentieth century, the vast majority of Russia’s people were agriculturists. About 85% of Russia's population was agriculturist. Industry was existent, but rarely in which most of was privately owned. Workers were divided on the basis of their occupation. They mainly migrated to cities for employment in factories. The peasant community was deeply religious, but did not care much about the nobility. They believed that land must be divided amongst themselves.

(ii)Economic Condition: There was no middle class in Russia and as such industrialization in Russia began very late and it developed at a fairly fast rate. The foreign capitalists invested large sums in different industries to amass huge profits. The foreign investors were more interested in early profits than in improving the conditions of the workers.

Prices of essential good rises while real wages decreased by 20% leading to the famous St.Petersburg strike. This strike started a series of events that are together known as the 1905 Revolution. Even the Russian Capitalists exploited the workers and paid them low wage to compete with foreign investors. The workers had no political rights. The conditions of the workers in Russia were very miserable. They were forced to lead a wretched life. That is why the workers were influenced by the ideas of socialism.

(iii)Political Conditions: Political parties were illegal before 1914. The Russian Social Democratic Workers Party was founded in 1898 by socialists who respected Marx’s ideas. In 1903, this party was divided into two groups - Mensheviks and Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks, who were in majority, were led by Lenin who is regarded as the greatest thinker on socialism after Marx.

In 1904, there was a war between Russia and Japan. The huge Russian giant suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of a tiny country like Japan. A revolution broke out in Russia in 1905. It was sparked off by an incident on January 9, 1905. The soviet workers took active part in this revolution. Some sections of army and navy also joined the revolution.

In October 1905, the Czar announced his manifesto and granted the freedom of speech, press and association. He further conferred the law making power on an elected body called ‘Duma’ but he soon relapsed his despotic rule.

5405 Views

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

The changes brought about by the Bolsheviks were:

(i)The Bolsheviks were totally opposed to private property. Most industry and banks were nationalised in November 1917. This meant that the government took over ownership and management.

(ii)Land was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of the nobility.

(iii)In cities, Bolsheviks enforced the partition of large houses according to family requirements.

(iv)They banned the use of the old titles of aristocracy.

(v)To assert the change, new uniforms were designed for the army and officials, following a clothing competition organised in 1918 – when the Soviet hat (budeonovka) was chosen.

2470 Views

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.

February Revolution:

(i)22nd February: Factory lockout on the right bank took place,

(ii)25th February: Duma was dissolved.

(iii)27th February: Police Headquarters ransacked. Regiments support the workers. Formation of Soviet.

(iv)2nd March: The Tsar abdicated his power. The Soviet and Duma leaders formed a Provisional Government for Russia.

October Revolution:

(i)16th October: A Military Revolutionary Committee was appointed by Soviet.

(ii)24th October: The uprising against provisional government begins. Military Revolutionary Committee controls the city by night and ministers surrender. The Bolshevik gained power.

The impact of the October Revolution are mentioned below:

(i)It brought an end to the autocratic rule in Russia.

(ii)The new government started the era of socialism.

(iii)Land, industries, factories, mines, bank and insurance companies and all means of production were nationalised. New social set up was based on the principle of communism.

(iv)The Bolshevik Revolution put an end to the Russian imperialism.

(v)The estates of the landlords, the church and the Czar were confiscated and transferred to Peasants' Societies.

3176 Views

Chapter Chosen

Book Chosen

Subject Chosen

Book Store

Previous Year Papers

Socialism in Europe and the Russia

What were the social, economic and political conditions of Russia before 1905?