Class 9 h-2

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Question-1

What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before
1905?
Solution:
The following were the social, economic, and political conditions in Russia
before 1905.
(a) Social Conditions: The majority religion was Russian Orthodox
Christianity which had grown out of the Greek Orthodox Church. But the
empire also included Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Buddhists. The
non-Russian nationalities were not treated equal to that of Russian
nationalities. They were not given the freedom to follow their culture and
language. Workers were divided into group on the basis of skill and
training. Peasants formed their group called commune or mir.

(b) Economic conditions: The majority of Russians were agriculturists.


Grain was the main item of export from Russia. Industries were few.
Prominent industrial areas were St Petersburg and Moscow. Much of the
production was done by the craftsmen. There were large factories
alongside the craft workshops. With the expansion of the Russian rail
network, foreign investment in factories grew. There were huge coal, iron
and steel production. There were equal numbers of factory workers and
craftsmen. The workers were exploited by capitalists who made their life
miserable.

(c) Political Conditions: Russia was a monarchy. (Tsar Nicholas II ruled


Russia and its empire that extended to 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 Tsars believed in the divine rights of kings.
They were not responsible to the Parliament. All political parties were illegal
in Russia.

Question-2
In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other
countries in Europe, before 1917?
Solution:
The working population in European countries was a more united lot than
those in Russia. Workers in England and Germany formed associations
and fought for better living and working conditions. Funds were set up by
these Associations to help workers in distress. The workers in European
countries were united in their demand for a reduction of working hours and
the right to vote. Workers association also supported political parties and
ultimately formed political parties themselves. The Labour Party in Britain
and a Socialist Party in France are examples of political parties formed by
socialists and trade unionists.

In total contrast to the working population in Europe, the Russian workers


were not united. Workers were divided on the basis of their occupation.
Workers whose jobs needed skill and training considered themselves on a
higher plane than the untrained workers. Workers had strong links to the
villages they came from and this also caused a social divide among
workers. Workers’ associations rose dramatically in Russia also, as in
Europe. They demanded reduced working hours and higher wages. The
workers were suppressed by the government.

Question-3
Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
Solution:
Anti-German sentiments in Russia were high owing to the First World War.
Further, Tsarina Alexandra’s German origin and poor advisors made the
autocracy unpopular. Russia suffered shocking defeats on the waterfront
with millions of casualties. Crops and buildings were destroyed by the
Russian army to prevent enemy having any advantage. It led to millions of
refugees. Tsar was being cursed for this situation. Food shortage led to
people rioting for food. The Russian army too shifted its loyalty and began
supporting the revolutionaries.

A lockout took place at a factory on the right bank of Neva river in


sympathy with the workers on the left bank on 22nd February. Women-led
the way to strikes. The government imposed a curfew. Later the
government suspended the Duma which resulted in sharp protests. The
demonstrators ransacked the Police Headquarters and raised slogans
about bread, wages, better hours and democracy.

The government called the cavalry but they refused to fire on the
demonstrators. Soldiers and the striking workers gathered to form a ‘Soviet’
or ‘council’ in the building where the Duma met. This was the Petrograd
Soviet. The very next day, when a delegation went to see the Tsar, the
military commanders advised the Tsar to abdicate. Soviet leaders and
Duma leaders formed a Provisional Government to run the country. The
Tsarist autocracy thus collapsed in February 1917.

Question-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 was the impact of each on Soviet history.
Solution:
February Revolution:

1. 22 February: Factory lockout on the right bank.


2. 23 February: Sympathy strike by workers in 50 factories.
3. 24th & 25th: Strikers stage demonstrations. Police called out to
suppress the workers.
4. 25th: The government suspends the Duma.
5. 27th: Police Headquarters ransacked by the workers. Regiments
support the workers. Striking workers from the Petrograd soviet.
6. 2nd March: The Tsar abdicates. Soviet and Duma leaders form the
Provisional Government.

Effects:

1. Army officials, landowners, and industrialists became influential.


2. Restrictions on public meetings were removed.
3. Trade unions grew in number.

October Revolution:
16th October:

 Vladimir Lenin, the Bolshevik leader 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

24th:
 The uprising against the Provisional government begins.
 Military Revolutionary Committee seized government offices and
arrested ministers.
 The winter palace was shelled.
 Ministers of the Provisional government surrendered.
 The Bolsheviks gained control.

Effects:

 Industries and banks were nationalised.


 Russia became a one-party state. The single party being the
Bolshevik Party.

During the February Revolution, the factory workers and the Government
Regiments played an important role. The workers and the regiments joined
together. The major impact of the February Revolution was the downfall of
the Russian Monarchy and the establishment of the Petrograd Soviet.

Vladimir Lenin, the Bolshevik leader, played a major role during the
October revolution. His Bolshevik Party overthrew the Provisional
Government and gained power. The Russian Communist Party came into
existence.

Question-5
What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately
after the October Revolution?
Solution:
Many changes were brought about by the Bolsheviks after the October
Revolution. They were:

1. Industries and banks were nationalised. This meant that the


government now had their ownership and management. The land
was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the
land of the nobility. In cities, Bolsheviks enforced the partition of large
houses according to family requirements.
2. The use of the old titles of the aristocracy was banned. New uniforms
for the army and officials were designed.
3. The Bolshevik Party was renamed as the Russian Communist Party
(Bolshevik).
4. Despite opposition by their political allies, the Bolsheviks made peace
with Germany and withdrew from the First World War.
5. In the later years, the Bolsheviks became the only party to participate
in the elections to the All Russian Congress of Soviets. It became the
Parliament of Russia.

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Question-6
Write a few lines to show what you know about:
(i) Kulaks
(ii) The Duma
(iii) Women workers between 1900 and 1930.
(iv) The Liberals.
(v) Stalins collectivization programme.
Solution:
(i) Kulaks: They were the well-to-do peasants who were supposed to be
holding stocks in the hope
of higher prices. They were raided so that they may be eliminated in order
to develop modern farms and establish state-controlled large farms.

(ii) The Duma: The Duma was a consultative parliament that was created
on the permission of the Tsar during the 1905 Revolution.

(iii) Women workers between 1900 and 1930: Women made up 31% of the
factory labour force, but were paid between 1/2 and 3/4 of a man’s wages.
They actively led the strikes in many factories. They even worked on
collective farms.

(iv) The Liberals: They were a group which looked to change society. They
wanted a nation which tolerated all religions and opposed the uncontrolled
power of dynastic rulers. They argued for a representative, elected
parliamentary government subject to laws interpreted by a well-trained
judiciary independent of rulers and officials.
(v) Stalin’s collectivisation programme: Stalin hoped to solve the problem of
food shortage by combining small farms with large and modern farms. This
was collectivisation programme that began in 1929. Peasants were forced
to work in these state-controlled collective farms called Kolkhoz.

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