CHAPTER 2 THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

 TIMELINE OF RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

Date Event

1894 Czar Nicholas is crowned

After his father, Czar Alexander III, died, Nicholas II became Czar over all of Russia.

1895 Vladmir Lenin is exiled

Lenin's brother had been killed a few years before for trying to kill Czar Nicholas' father. Lenin
wanted to take over power from Nicholas, and he was arrested and exiled from Russia.

1903 The Russian Social-Democrat Labor Party meets

At the meeting the people were split into two groups. Some supported Lenin, and others supported a
different leader.

1905 A revolution breaks out

A revolution broke out in St. Petersburg, but Czar Nicholas quickly put an end to it. The day was
called Bloody Sunday.
1908 Rasputin is introduced into the aristocracy
Rasputin called himself a holy man and a healer, and he helped heal Czar Nicholas' sick son. Still,
Rasputin wasn't a good man, and many in Russia hated him, putting the people at odds with the Czar.

1914 WWI begins

World War I began and the following year, Czar Nicholas took command of the Russian Army.

1916 Rasputin is killed

The plan to kill Rasputin seemed simple, but it took a lot of work to finally kill him.

February Another revolution begins

1917 The people were unhappy with Czar Nicholas' rule of the country. They began protests and strikes,
refusing to do their work.

March 1917 Czar Nicholas tries to step down

Nicholas tried to give up his throne and let his brother take over, but his brother refused. Other
Russian aristocrats tried to make a temporary government.

July 1917 Vladmir Lenin tries to take over

Lenin came out of exile and tried to take over the temporary government, but he was chased back
into hiding.

October Lenin succeeds in taking over

1917 Lenin still led the split political party of the Russian Social-Democrat Labor Party, and his party soon
moved in and took control of Russia.

1918 Russia backs out of WWI

Lenin signed a treaty, taking Russia out of WWI. Later that year he had Czar Nicholas and his family
killed.

March 1918 The Communist Party is developed

Lenin changed the name of his political party to the Communist Party.

1922 The USSR is established

Lenin helped establish the United Soviet Socialists Republic, a communist country. He worked with
Joseph Stalin.

1924 Vladmir Lenin dies

After Lenin died, Joseph Stalin took over his rule. He would rule for many years to come. The
Russian revolution changed Russia and all of history, introducing communism into the modern
world. However, communism didn't catch on as Lenin and Stalin had hoped. Instead, demo
Question 1.
In the context of Russia, which group was the supporter of women’s Suffragette Movements?
Answer: Radicals.
Question 2.
Who was Karl Marx?
Answer: Karl Marx was a philosopher who favoured socialism. He believed that to free themselves from
capitalist exploitation, workers had to construct a radically socialist society, where all the properties were
socially controlled.
Question 3.
By whom was ‘Das Capital’ written?
Answer: Karl Marx.
Question 4.
Name the term that refers to ‘women’s right to vote’.
Answer: Suffragette.
Question 5.
Who were the ‘greens’ and ‘whites’?
Answer: They were the group of people who were against the Bolshevik Revolution. They started a civil
war. They were supported by the French, American, British and the Japanese troops as these countries were
worried about the growth of socialism in Russia.
Question 6.
What was the basic idea of socialism?
Answer: Socialists were against private property, and saw it as the root of all social ills of the time.
Question 7.
What was the basic idea of a communist society?
Answer: All properties should be socially controlled.
Question 8.
Who built the cooperative called ‘New Harmony’?
Answer: Robert Owen.
Question 9.
Name the European nation where the first ever socialist government was formed.
Answer: Russia.
Question 10.
What was the Russian Revolution?
Answer:The fall of monarchy in February 1917, and the events of October are normally called the Russian
Revolution.
Question 11.
When was the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party founded, and by whom?
Answer: In 1898, by the socialists, who respected Marx’s ideas.
Question 12.
Who was ruling over Russia when the Russian Revolution took place?
Answer: Tsar Nicholas II.
Question 13.
What was the Second International?
Answer: It was an international body which was formed to coordinate the ideas of the socialists.
Question 14.
“The year 1904 was particularly bad for the Russian workers” Give reason.
Answer: In 1904 prices of essential goods rose very quickly and the real wages declined by 20%.
Question 15.
What was Duma?
Answer: It was an elected consultative Parliament of Russia.
Question 16.
Name the term that refers to the meaning of the word ‘Soviet’.
Answer: A Revolutionary Organization.
Question 17.
What was Bolsheviks?
Answer: It was a socialist party of Russia which was led by Lenin.
Question 18.
What was Mensheviks?
Answer: It was a breakaway group of Bolsheviks. It was also a socialist party like that of Bolshevik.
Question 19.
Define Kulaks.
Answer: The wealthy farmers of Russia.
Question 20.
In the context of Russia what was ‘Kolkhoz’?
Answer: Kolkhoz were the collective farms, where all peasants were forced to cultivate from 1929.
Question 21.
Who started ‘Collectivization Programme’ in Russia?
Answer: Stalin.
Question 22.
Who headed the Communist Party of Russia after the death of Lenin?
Answer: Stalin.
Question 23.
Which incident of the Russian history is known as ‘Bloody Sunday’?
Answer: It was an incident in which more than 100 workers were killed and about 300 wounded. These
workers were attacked by the police in 1905 when they reached the winter palace.
Question 24.
What was Lenin’s ’April Theses’?
Answer: In 1917, Lenin declared that the war be brought to an end, land be transferred to the peasants, and
banks be nationalised. These three demands were Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.
Question 25.
What was the new name of St. Petersburg*?
Answer: Petrograd.
Question 26.
Name a few countries that were part of central power during the First World War?
Answer: Germany, Austria and Turkey.
Question 27.
Name the term which was used for elected Consultative Parliament in Russia?
Answer: Duma.
Question 28.
At the beginning of the 20th century, where did the vast majority of Russian people work? .
Answer: Agricultural sector.
Question 29.
When did the First World War break out?
Answer:1914.
Question 30.
Why is 22nd, February celebrated as the International Women’s Day?
Answer: Because on this day. women workers of Russia led a huge strike in the factories.
Question 31.
What were the Muslim reformers within the Russian Empire called?
Answer: Jadidists.
Question 32.
To which place did industrialization bring men, women and children together?
Answer: Factories.
Question 33.
Name any two Indian nationalists who talked of the significance of the French Revolution.
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Derozio.

Question and Answers

Question 1. Describe the views of radicals.
Answer: The views of radicals are as follows:

 The group who wanted to bring about immediate social change in Russia was radicals.
 They wanted a government elected by the majority of country’s population.
 They were against private properties.

Question 2. Who were liberals? What were their political and social views?
Or
‘Liberals were not democrats.’ Explain.
Answer:
Liberals: One of the groups which looked to change society were the liberals.
Political and Social Views of Liberals :
 Liberals wanted a nation which tolerated all religions.
 Liberals also opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers. They wanted to safeguard the rights
of individuals against governments.
 They argued for a representative, elected parliamentary government, subject to laws interpreted by a
well-trained judiciary that was independent of rulers and officials.
 However, they were not ‘democrats. They did not believe in universal adult franchise, that is, the right
of every citizen to vote. They felt men of property mainly should have the vote.
 They also did not want the vote for women.

Question 3. Distinguish between the ideas of liberals and the radicals.

Answer:

Liberals Radicals
(i) They argued for a representative, elected parliamentary They also argued for a representative elected
government, but did not believe in universal adult parliamentary government but believed in universal
franchise. adult franchise.
(ii) They felt men of property should have the right to
They felt all citizens should have the right to vote
vote.
(iii) They were in favour of giving privileges to the rich or They opposed the privileges of the rich or the men of
the men of property. property.

Question 4. Who ruled Russia in 1914? How did he manage his empire? Explain.
Answer: Tsar Nicholas II was ruling over Russia, during the revolution.
 He was an autocrat.
 Though he created ‘Duma’ after the Revolution, but never cared for it.
 He was carrying the war against the wishes of the people.
 He worked under a monk called Rasputin.

Question 5. Explain the views of different socialists and philosophers regarding the vision of the
future to transform the society.
Answer:
 Robert Owen, a leading English manufacturer and a socialist sought to build a cooperative
community called the New Harmony, in Indiana (USA).
 Louis Blanc of France wanted the government to encourage cooperatives and replace the capitalists.
 Karl Marx believed that to free themselves from capitalist exploitation, workers had to construct a
radically socialist society, where all the properties were socially controlled.
 Friedrich Engels was also against capitalism.

Question 6. What conditions led to the Russian Civil War in 1918 – 1920? Give any four points.
Answer:
 Impact of Land Redistribution Policy on Soldiers: When the Bolsheviks ordered land redistribution,
the Russian army began to break up. Soldiers, mostly peasants, wished to go home for the
redistribution and deserted.
 Opposition from Greens and Whites: Non-Bolshevik socialists, liberals and supporters of autocracy
condemned the Bolshevik uprising. Their leaders moved to south Russia and organized troops to fight
the Bolsheviks (the reds).’ During 1918 and 1919, the greens (Socialist Revolutionaries) and whites
(pro-Tsarists) controlled most of the Russian empire.
 Outside Forces: The Greens and Whites were backed by French, American, British and Japanese
troops. All these forces were worried at the growth of socialism in Russia.

 Use of Force: In many parts, Bolshevik colonists brutally massacred local nationalists in the name of
defending socialism. In this situation, many were confused about what the Bolshevik government
represented.

Question 7. ‘A communist society was the natural society of the future.’ Explain.
Or
Explain the views of Karl Marx on capitalism.
Or
Explain the thoughts and beliefs of Karl Marx which convinced the workers to
enter into conflict with the capitalists.
Answer:
 Marx was of the opinion that an industrial society was a ‘capitalist’ society.
 Capitalists earn profits because of workers.
 To increase his profits the capitalist uses two methods i.e., either by reducing wages or increasing the
working hours.
 Marx believed that to free themselves from the capitalists, workers had to construct a radically
socialist society where all the properties were socially controlled.

Question 8. Explain the economic condition of the workers before the Russian Revolution.
Answer:
 Most of the industries were the private property of the industrialists. Most of the workers were
working for about 10 to 12 hours a day.
  They were paid very low wages.
 The working conditions were also very poor.
 Women workers made up about 31% of the factory labour, but they were paid less than men.

Question 9. Mention four features of socialism.

Answer:
 Socialists were against private property.
 Under socialism, the means of production are under the control of the government.
 Socialists regarded the private property as the root cause of all social evils.
 Socialism encourages cooperatives.

Question 10. What were the main demands of April Theses?

Or
Explain the Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.
Or
Describe the three major demands of Bolshevik during 1917.
Answer: Main demands of April Theses were:

 Lenin returned to Russia from exile and felt that it was time for Soviets to take over power. He
declared that war be brought to an end, land be transferred to the peasants and banks nationalized. He
also argued to rename Bolshevik Party as Communist Party.
 Started planning on uprising against government with the support of army.
 Military Revolutionary Committee was planned to seize the power and bring the city under control.

Question 11. Mention any four features of the Russian society of the 20th century.
Answer:
 The vast majority of Russia’s people were agriculturists. About 85 per cent of the Russian empire’s
population earned their living from agriculture.
 Workers were a divided social group. Some had strong links with the villages from which they came.
Others had settled in cities permanently.
 Women made up 31 per cent of the factory labour force by 1914, but they were paid less than men.
 In the countryside, peasants cultivated most of the land. But the nobility, the crown and the Orthodox
Church owned large properties. Nobles got their power and position through their services to the Tsar,
not through local popularity.

Question 12. Describe the events that led to 1905 Revolution of Russia.
Or
Write A note on the Bloody Sunday incident.
Or
Which incident came to be known as Bloody Sunday? What were its consequences?
Answer:

 The year 1904 was a particularly bad one for Russian workers. Prices of essential goods rose so
quickly that the real wages declined by 20%.
 When four members of the Assembly of Russian workers were dismissed, the workers became
agitated.
 In January 1905, a large number of peaceful workers led by Father Gapon reached the Winter Palace
in St. Petersburg to present a petition to the Tsar.
 The workers were attacked by the police. Over 100 workers were killed, and about 300 wounded.
Since the incident took place on Sunday, it is known as the ‘Bloody Sunday’.
Consequences: Tsar under pressure from the masses was forced to announce his manifesto which led
to the formation of Duma.

Question 13. Explain the major events that were responsible for the Russian Revolution of 1905.
Answer:
  Autocratic Rule: Russia was under the autocratic rule of the Tsars. The Tsar Nicholas II was an
inefficient and corrupt ruler.
 Role of Liberals and Socialists: Both Liberals and Socialists were against the dynastic rule. They
worked with peasants and workers to demand a constitution. They were being supported by Jaddists.
 Strike of the Workers: The year 1904 was a bad year for the Russian workers. Prices of essential
goods rose so quickly that real wages declined by 20%. So there was a strike by the workers. They
demanded reduction in working hours, an increase in wages and improvement in the working
conditions.
 Bloody Sunday : The incident of Bloody Sunday in which more than 100 workers were killed became
the turning point. It led to an all Russia strike. Lawyers, doctors, engineers and others demanded
constituent assembly.

Question 14. Explain the Russian February Revolution 1917.

Or
Petrograd had led the February Revolution that brought down the monarchy in
February 1917. Explain.
Answer:
(i) Grim Condition in the Petrograd: In the winter of 1917, conditions in the capital,
Petrograd, were grim. In February 1917, food shortages were deeply felt in the workers’ quarters.
The winter was very cold. There had been exceptional frost and heavy snow.
(ii) Women Lead the Strike: On 22 February, a lockout took place at a factory. The next
day,workers in fifty factories called a strike in sympathy. In many factories, women led the
way to strikes. This came to be called the International Women’s Day.
(iii) Violent Incidents: The workers tried to pursue the government to fulfil their demand but
government called out the cavalry. The streets thronged with people raising slogans about bread,
wages, better hours, and democracy. However, the cavalry refused to fire on- the demonstrators.
(iv) Formation of Soviet: By that evening, soldiers and striking workers had gathered to form a soviet
or council in the same building as the Duma met. This was the Petrograd Soviet.
(v) Formation of Provisional Government: The very next day, a delegation went to see the Tsar.
Military commanders advised him to abdicate. He followed their advice and abdicated on 2 March.
Soviet leaders and Duma leaders formed a Provisional Government to run the country. Russia’s
future would be decided by a constituent assembly, elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
Question 14. What is meant by ‘October revolution’?
Answer:
 It was the revolution which occurred in October 1917. It was led by Petrograd Soviet and the
Bolshevik Party under the leadership of Lenin.

 A Military Revolutionary Committee was appointed by the Soviet under Leon Trotskii to organise the
seizure. The uprising began on 24th October. Though Prime Minister Alexander Kerenskii resisted but
the seizure was complete within a day.
 The Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik).
 In November 1917, the Bolsheviks conducted the elections to the Constituent Assembly, but they
failed to gain majority support. In January 1918, the assembly rejected Bolshevik measures and Lenin
dismissed the assembly.
 In the years that followed, Bolsheviks took full control over the government and Russia became one
party state.

Question 15. Explain any three major effects of the Russian Revolution of October 1917 on
Russian economy.
Answer:
 No Private Property: Private property in the means of production was abolished. Land and other
means of production were declared the property of the entire nation. Labour was made compulsory for
all and economic exploitation by capitalists and landlords came to an end.
 Nationalisation of Industries/banks: The control of industries was given to the workers. All the
banks, insurance companies, large industries, mines, water transports and railways were nationalised.
  Centralised Planning: A process of centralised planning was introduced. Officials assessed how the
economy could work and set targets for a five-year period. On this basis they made the Five-Year
Plans.

Question 16. Explain the collectivisation policy of Stalin.

Or
What were the major changes Introduced in agriculture by Stalin? Explain.
Answer:

 The collectivisation policy was introduced by Stalin who came to power after the death of Lenin. The
main reason was the shortage of grain supplies. It was argued that grain shortage was partly due to the
small size of the holding.
 After 1917, the land had been given over to peasants. These small-sized peasant farms could not be
modernised. To develop modern farms, and run them along industrial lines with machinery, it was
necessary to eliminate ‘kulaks’, take away land from peasants, and establish state-controlled large
farms.

 From 1929, the government forced all peasants to cultivate in collective farms (kolkhoz). The bulk of
land and implements were transferred to the ownership of collective farms. Peasants worked on the
land, and the kolkhoz profit was shared.
 The peasants resisted collectivisation. Stalin’s government allowed some independent cultivation, but
treated such cultivators unsympathetically.
 In spite of collectivisation, production did not increase immediately. In fact, the bad harvest of 1930-
1933 led to one of the most devastating famines in Soviet history when over 4 million died.

Question 17. Highlight any five changes brought by Lenin in Russia after October Revolution of
1917.
Answer: Role of Lenin in post 1917 Russian Revolution :
 A conflict between the provisional government and the Bolshevik grew in September, 1917. Lenin
started planning an uprising against the government and began to organize his supporters from any
secrets and factories.
 A military revolutionary committee under Lenin Trotski planned to seize power.
 Uprising began on 4th October, 1917. The Prime Minister Karenski, with government troops tried to
subdue the Bolshevik but failed.
 Under the guidance of Lenin, the military Revolutionary committee responded quickly and by
nightfall the city was under the committee’s control.
 At a meeting all Russian Congress of Soviet in Petrograd, the majority approved the Bolshevik
action. Russian Revolution brought Russia under communist control.

Question 18: Explain the impact of Russian Revolution on the world.

Answer: The impact of Russian Revolution on world were as follows:
 In many countries communist parties were formed on the line of Russia.
 It gave the world a new economic system known as socialism.
 The Bolsheviks encouraged colonial people to follow their experience. It inspired a number of
freedom movement in other countries.
 Many Non-Russians from outside the country participated in the conference. Some even received
education from communist university of the workers of the earth.
 By the time the 2nd world war broke socialism had acquired a global face. Though by the end of
the century the image of USSR and a socialist country declined.