Socialism in Europe and Russian Revolution Class 9 - NCERT Solution

 Socialism in Europe and Russian Revolution Class 9 - NCERT Solution

Access comprehensive NCERT solutions for Class 9 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution. Clear explanations, chapter-wise solutions, and helpful resources to grasp the concepts of socialism, the Russian Revolution, and their impact. Perfect study aid for Class 9 students. Accessible, reliable, and ideal for exam preparation.

Q.1: What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?

Or

Describe the economic condition of Russia before 1905.

[CBSE Sept. 2011]

Ans: Social and Economic Conditions in Russia

1) Agrarian Economy and Peasant Conditions:

   - Over 85% of Russians lived off agriculture.

   - Land mainly owned by the wealthy.

   - Peasants worked long hours for low wages or shares.

2) Poor Conditions of Workers:

   - Industries mostly privately owned.

   - Workers in craft units and small workshops worked up to 15 hours a day.

   - Lived and worked in poor conditions.

3) High Unemployment:

   - Unemployment rates were high.

   - Wealthy industrialists exploited workers.

4) Rising Prices:

   - Prices of essential goods rose rapidly, leading to a 20% decline in real wages.

5) Women's Conditions:

   - Women comprised 31% of factory labor force.

   - Paid less, forced to work long hours.

   - Faced police violence when agitating for better conditions.

Political Conditions in Russia

1) Autocracy under Tsar Nicholas II:

   - Tsar Nicholas II was inefficient and disregarded administration and welfare of subjects.

   - Dominated by his German wife, Tsarina Alexandra, influenced by Rasputin.

   - Common masses had no political participation.

2) Political Groups:

   - Liberals, radicals, conservatives, and socialists existed.

   - Liberals and radicals opposed dynastic rule; conservatives supported it.

   - Socialists advocated government control of production, opposing private property.

3) Workers' Organizations:

   - Many illegal workers' organizations influenced Russian politics.

   - Socialist Revolutionary Party, formed in 1900, was significant.

   - Divided into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks, with Bolsheviks leading the 1917 revolution.

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

Or

Discuss the relationship between peasants and nobles in Russia during the early 19th century. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]

Ans: Peasant Attitudes and Actions in Russia

i) Disdain for Nobility:

   - Russian working class lacked respect for nobility.

   - Nobles gained power through service to Tsar, not local popularity, unlike in France.

ii) Peasant Demands and Actions:

   - Peasants wanted nobles' land.

   - Often refused to pay rent, sometimes murdering landlords.

   - Large-scale incidents in South Russia in 1902 and nationwide in 1905.

iii) Unique Peasant Practices:

   - Russian peasants differed from European counterparts.

   - Periodically pooled land, with commune (mir) dividing it according to family needs.

Collapse of Tsarist Autocracy

i) Revolution of 1905:

   - Deep impact on Russian people.

   - The Tsar announced the creation of an elected Consultative Parliament (Duma) but didn't allow it to function.

ii) First World War:

   - War led to economic, political, and social crises.

   - Proved fatal for Russian autocracy.

iii) Immediate Cause:

   - Food shortage sparked a revolution.

   - Started with a working-class women's bread purchasing demonstration on March 7, 1917.

   - General strike followed, joined by soldiers and others.

   - St. Petersburg fell to revolutionaries on March 12.

Q.3. 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.

Ans: 

February Revolution

OctoberRevolution

Main events : (i) On 22nd February 1917 a lockout took place at a factory, and women led the procession. (ii) On 25th February Government suspended the Duma. (iii) On the 26th and 27th February : A general strike of workers which was soon joined by soldiers.  (iv) 2nd March-Tsar abdicated. Soviet leaders and Duma leaders formed a Provisional Gover-nment. Effects : (i)The fall of the autocratic, Tsar. (ii) Restrictions on public meetings and associations were removed. Leader : Kerensky

Main events : (1) April 1917-Bolshevik leader Lenin returned to Russia. (ii) July-Demonstration by the Bolsheviks against the Provisional Govern-ment. (iii) July-September: Peasants seized land from the rich landlords. (iv) 16th October 1917 : Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to agree to a socialist seizure of power. (v) 24th October : The Bolshevik uprising in Petrograd. Effects : (1) Fall of Provisional Government. (ii) Russia adopted socialism. (iii) Peace Leader: Lenin.

Q:4: What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?

Ог

What changes were brought by Bolsheviks in Russia after they came to power ? State any four changes. [CBSE Sept. 2010]

Or

Mention any three effects of the October Revolution. [CBSE Sept. 2011]

Ans: Lenin's Early Policies

i) Peace with Germany:

   - Lenin quickly withdrew Russia from World War I.

   - Signed peace treaty with Germany at Brest Litovsk.

ii) Abolition of Private Property:

   - Private ownership of means of production abolished.

   - Land and other means declared national property.

   - Compulsory labor for all, ending capitalist and landlord exploitation.

iii) Nationalization of Industries:

   - Industries placed under worker control.

   - Banks, insurance companies, large industries, mines, water transport, and railways nationalized.

iv) Declaration of Rights:

   - Issued Declaration of Rights of People.

   - Granted the right of self-determination to all nationalities.

Q.5. Write a few lines to show what you know about :

(a) Kulaks

(b) The Duma

(c) Women Workers between 1900 and 1930

(d) The Liberals

(e) Stalin's collectivisation programme.

a) Kulaks: Rich farmers in Russia were known as kulaks.

b) The Duma:

   - Elected Consultative Parliament of Russia.

   - Created by the Tsar after the 1905 Revolution but dismissed soon after.

c)  Women Workers (1900-1930):

   - Women comprised 31% of factory labor force.

   - Paid less than men.

   - Participated in major strikes of 1905 and 1917 revolutions.

   - Led one of the largest strikes on February 22, celebrated as International Women's Day.

d) The Liberals:

   - Advocated for a tolerant nation with all religions accepted.

   - Opposed unchecked power of dynastic rulers.

   - Sought to protect individuals' rights against governments.

   - Supported representative, elected parliamentary government and independent judiciary.

   - Did not support universal adult franchise or women's voting rights, preferring property-owning men for voting.

(e) Stalin's Collectivization Policy

i) Introduction by Stalin: Implemented by Stalin after Lenin's death.

ii) Reasoning Behind Policy: Grain shortage attributed to small holding sizes.

iii) Goals of Policy:

   - Develop modern, industrialized farms with machinery.

   - Eliminate kulaks, take land from peasants, and establish state-controlled large farms.

iv) Implementation:

   - Government mandated all peasants to work in collective farms (kolkhoz) from 1929.

   - Peasants shared profits from kolkhoz.

v) Peasant Resistance:

   - Enraged peasants resisted, destroyed livestock.

   - Cattle numbers fell by one-third from 1929 to 1931.

vi) Treatment of Independent Cultivators: Some independent cultivation allowed but treated harshly by authorities.

vii) Production Impact: Despite collectivization, immediate production increase did not occur.