Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 History Chapter 2 NCERT Exercise Solution (English Medium)
NCERT Exercise Questions
1
What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Answer –
(a) Social condition: The
society was divided into two classes-the privileged and the non-privileged.
The privileged class comprised of prosperous and influential
people who held almost all the important offices of the state and most of the
land was also under their control.
In the non-privileged class, most of the people were indulged in
agriculture and they were peasants. They wanted that the land to be distributed
among them only.
(b) Economic condition: Russia
was facing an economic crisis at this time as the prices of necessity goods
were decreased by 20% due to St. Petersburg strike. This event has given rise
to 1905 revolution and working class across Russia called for various strikes.
Unions were formed, and universities also shut down during this period. The
demand for a constituent assembly was also put forward.
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| St. Petersburg Location Map |
The new middle class
which was slowly emerging in Russia began to make strident demands for some
representative government to be formed where access to high posts would be
given by birth. The administration was also riddled with corruption and was
inefficient.
2 In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe before 1917?
Answer – The Russian working class was very
different from other parts of the Europe. The Russian economy was agriculture
based, and not many of them migrated to towns before 1917. Those who work in
other industries used to travel daily from villages to towns. The society was
divided professionally and socially, and this could be seen in their manners
also. Those who work in metal industries were called ‘aristocrats’ because of
the nature of their work requires special skills. Nonetheless, the working
society was united as all the unions were united and called various strikes.
3 Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
Answer – The people of Russia lost faith in
their king, and there were chaos and mistrust among the common people. The
policies implemented by the Tsar proved inefficient, and people were
dissatisfied with Tsar’s policies. The Tsar not only imposed his policies on
Russians but imposed several restrictions on the people. Political activities
were completely oppressed, and the voting rights were taken away, and nobody
was allowed to question the policies implemented by Nicolas II (Tsar). He also
dismissed the two Dumas conservatives were brought to the Parliament. The Tsar
did not consult the Duma and took decisions on his own during the First World
War, which resulted in massive causalities. Crops were burnt which created a
shortage of food for the Russian soldiers. All these incidents resulted in the
collapse of Tsarist autocracy.
.jpg) |
| Nicolas II (Tsar) |
4
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 the impact of each was on Soviet history.
Answer –
A. List of the
February Revolution-Events and Effects:
(a) In February 1917,
there was a huge food shortage for the workers.
(b) The Tsar of
Russia, Nicloas II dismissed the Duma without consulting the parliamentarians.
(c) On 22nd February,
a lock out took place at a factory on the right bank of River Neva.
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| River Neva |
(e) In many factories,
women led the way to strikes. This came to be called the International Women's
Day.
The February Revolution resulted in the
abdication of the Tsarist rule, and a provisional Government of Russia was
formed by the Soviet and Duma leaders.
B. Events and Effects
of Revolution of October 1917:
(a) As the conflict
between the Provisional Government and the Bolsheviks grew, Lenin feared the
Provisional Government would set up a dictatorship.
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| Vladimir Lenin |
(b) In September 1917,
Lenin started discussions for an uprising against the government. Bolshevik
supporters in the arm Soviets and factories were brought together.
(c) On 16th October
1917, Lenin persuades 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 Trotsky to organize the seizure. The date of the event
was kept a secret.
(d) The uprising began
on 24th October sensing trouble, Prime Minister Kerensky had left the city to
summon troops which later seize the government offices and arrest ministers.
(e) In the years that
followed, the Bolsheviks became the only party to participate in the elections
to the All-Russian Congress of Soviet which became the Parliament of the
country.
5 What was the main change brought about by the Bolshevik immediately after the October Revolution?
Answer – The
main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October
Revolution were:
(a) The Congress of Soviets on 8th November
1917 proclaimed to all people's belligerent states to open negotiations for a
just peace without annexation and indemnities Russia withdrew from the war,
though a formal peace treaty was signed with Germany later, after ceding the
territories that Germany demanded as a price for peace.
(b) Following the declaration on land, the
estate of the landlords, the church, and the Tsar was confiscated and given to
peasants.
(c) A Declaration of the Rights of Peoples was
issued conferring the right of self-determination upon all nationalities.
(d) A new government called the Council of
People's Commissioners, headed by Lenin was formed.
(e) Banks and
industries were nationalized, and old noble titles were banned, and new
uniforms were designed for the army.
6 Write a few lines to show what you know about:
(a) Kulaks
Answer - Kulaks: This
term was used for the wealthy peasants of Russia. Kulaks had the larger farms
than most Russian peasants, and they were partially responsible for food
shortage in 1927-28 as Stalin believed that Kulaks were indulged in hoarding
grains to earn more profits. Stalin later eliminated Kulaks to develop modern
farming techniques.
(b) The Duma,
Answer - Duma was Russian assembly which was
assigned legislative functions. During the Revolution of 1905, The Tsar elected
the first State Duma for the Russian empire.
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| DUMA |
(c)
Women workers between 1900 and 1930
Answer - Women workers between 1900 and 1930: By
1914, more than 30% women started working in the industries. On 22nd February
1917, many women became the leaders in organizing strikes in factories. This
day later named the International Women's Day. They joined trade unions and
political Organizations. Women had a major role to play in Russia as they
helped the male workers in both revolutions - The February and October
Revolution. After the introduction of the new constitution in USSR, the women
workers were given equal political, social and economic rights.
(d) The Liberals
Answer - Liberals: The
Liberals were the group that wanted to change society and wanted a secular
nation. They also worked to safeguard the rights of individuals against the
government. They advocated for an elected parliamentary government but did not
believe in Universal Adult Franchise. They believed only men of property should
be given the right to vote. However, they were against giving voting rights to
women.
(e) Stalin’s collectivization program
Answer - Stalin’s collectivization program: From
1928 to 1940, the Soviet Union of Russia imposed collectivization of
agricultural units under the control of Joseph Stalin. It began in 1929 and was
a five-year plan. The peasants were forced to cultivate in the collective
farms. Many peasants protested against it and burnt their livestock to show
their anger. The result of collectivization varied from what was desired, and
it even turned worse in the consequent years.
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| Joseph Stalin |