Question 1:
What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Answer:
Social conditions in Russia before 1905:
(i) In the nineteenth century, most of the European countries underwent important social and
economic changes, but Russia was still lagging behind. The Czars ruled as absolute monarchs
and
the aristocracy was strictly feudal.
(ii) The condition of the Russian peasants was deplorable. On the other hand, the nobility
and the
high clergymen enjoyed special privileges and rights. Agriculture was dominated by a few
rich
landlords.
(iii) Although serfdom was abolished in Russia in 1861, the situation did not change. The
methods
and tools of farming did not improve. The farmers had to pay very high dues for small pieces
of
land, and most of them were under heavy debts.
Economic conditions in Russia before 1905:
(i) In the 1890s, industrialisation in Russia began and developed at a fairly fast rate. The
foreign
capitalists invested large sums of money in different industries to amass huge profits. The
foreign
investors were more interested in earning profits than improving the conditions of the
workers.
(ii) Even the Russian industrialists exploited the workers and paid them extremely low
wages. The
workers had no political rights. The conditions of the workers in Russia were very
miserable.
They were forced to lead a wretched life. Hence, the workers were extremely unhappy and
dissatisfied with the prevalent conditions.
Political conditions in Russia before 1905:
(i) Russia was under the autocratic rule of Romanov Czars, who believed in the Theory of
Divine
Right of the Kings. Czar Nicholas II was crowned in 1894. He was an inefficient and a
conservative
ruler. He was believed to be guided and influenced by a mystic, Rasputin.
(ii) The conditions of the workers and peasants were deplorable. Famines were very common
throughout the whole country. Many people in Russia were influenced by the developments in
Western Europe and consequently, they demanded constitutional democracy. However, their
demands were turned down.
(iii) In 1904, there was a war between Russia and Japan. Russia suffered a humiliating
defeat at the
hands of a small Asian country like Japan. This defeat of the Russians had displeased and
angered
the people.
(iv) A revolution broke out in January 1905 after which the Czar announced his manifesto in
October
in the same year. He granted the freedom of speech, press and movement. He conferred the
legislative powers to an elected body called Duma, but in no time, he re-established his own
authority.
Question 2:
In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
Answer:
The working population in Russia was different from the working population of other European
countries in the following ways:
(i) The vast majority of the working population in Russia were agriculturalists. Around 85%
of
population was engaged in agricultural operations. This percentage was higher than other
European countries. For example, only 40 to 50 per cent of the workforce was involved in
agricultural functions in France and Germany.
(ii) In other European countries, the Industrial Revolution had occurred earlier. Also, most
of the
industries in those nations were in the hands of local people. However, in Russia, most of
the
industries were established with foreign investment. Foreign investors largely exploited the
Russian labourers. The condition of the labourers was quite pitiable even in locally-owned
industries. They gave minimum wages to their labourers to compete with foreign
investors.
(iii) Women labourers in Russia were given less wages as compared to the other European
countries. The working day was sometimes stretched to fifteen hours. However, this condition
did not prevail in other European countries due to certain legislations.
(iv) The farms of the Russian farmers were quite small as compared to other European
countries.
Land was predominantly held by the aristocrats, and not the peasants.
(v) Russian farmers never respected their landlords as they were very oppressive. They hated
them
deeply and refused to pay their taxes. Some landlords were killed as well. In contrary to
this, the
French landlords were supported by the peasants because the former spoke for their issues.
Question 3:
Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
Answer:
The Tsarist autocracy collapsed in 1917 on account of the following reasons:
(i) Within Russia, the democratic groups had become more vigorous. The Czar, however, still
regarded his sacred duty to preserve absolute authority.
(ii) The Russian people wanted that war should come to an end. The Czar had already
mismanaged
the war and he insisted on continuing to take part in it.
(iii) The peasants were extremely dissatisfied. They wanted that cultivable land should be
given to
the tillers, but the autocratic government did not pay any heed to their demands.
(iv) The working conditions of the workers were deplorable. There was a general demand that
the
industries should be controlled by the workers themselves. However, the Czar and the ruling
classes favoured the industrialists and neglected the workers.
(v) There was widespread discontent against the autocratic rule of the Czar. The royal
family did not
enjoy people’s respect because of the influence of Rasputin. The Russian autocracy was bound
to collapse as it had no support from the people.
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 the Soviet history?
Answer:
The October Revolution of 1917 was the second phase of the Russian Revolution. The first
phase
refers to the event of February 1917 when the Czar was compelled to abdicate. A provisional
government was set up, which could not solve the pressing problems of the people. It soon
lost
people’s support. The result was another revolution in the second phase known as the October
Revolution. The Bolshevik party, under the leadership of Lenin, promised peace to the
soldiers, land
to the workers, powers to the Soviets and equal rights to the non-Russian nationals.
The October Revolution had a great impact on Russia:
(i) It brought an end to autocratic rule in Russia.
(ii) The new government started the era of socialism.
(iii) Land, industries, factories, mines, banks and insurance companies, and all means of
production
were nationalised. New social systems were set up based upon the principles of
communism.
(iv) The estates of the landlords, the church and the nobles were confiscated and
transferred to
peasants' groups.
Question 5:
What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
Answer:
(i) End of the autocratic rule: The Czars were autocratic rulers. Czar Nicholas II was an
inefficient
and a despotic ruler who cared little for people’s welfare. After the October Revolution, he
and
his family members were put to death.
(ii) Government of the proletariat: After the Revolution, a new government called the Soviet
of
the People’s Commissars was formed under the leadership of Lenin. The new government
started the era of socialism in Russia. The Bolshevik Party was now renamed as the Russian
Communist Party.
(iii) Abolition of social inequalities: A new social system was set up. All the old titles
of the aristocrats
were abolished and peasants could seize the lands from their owners. Land, industries,
factories,
mines, banks and insurance companies were nationalised.
(iv) New economic changes: The Bolshevik government introduced many changes in the economic
sphere and aimed at building an advanced economy. Five Year Plans were introduced for
development. The lands and estates were confiscated and distributed among the peasants.
The management of the factories and the industries was handed over to workers' councils
or Soviets. The foreign debts were repudiated and foreign investments were confiscated. The
right to work became a constitutional right.
(v) Russia became a world power: Within a few years of the Revolution, Russia made
tremendous
progress in different sectors and emerged as a major power in the world.
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) Stalin’s collectivisation programme.
Answer:
(i) Kulaks: The well-to-do peasants in Russia were known as kulaks. During the
collectivisation
programme initiated by Stalin, the lands and holdings of the kulaks were seized. Their
cattle and
grains were forcibly taken away by the government.
(ii) The Duma: The Duma is the name of the Russian Parliament. After the brief revolution of
1905,
the Czar constituted the Duma for consultative purposes. However, it did not have any real
legislative powers and the Czar dissolved it according to his wishes.
(iii) Women workers between 1900 and 1930: After industrialisation expanded in Russia, women
were employed in large numbers in most of the factories. In 1914, women composed
31 per cent of the labour force in Russia. However, they were not paid equally and the
working
conditions were poor. Women played an active role in the Revolution of 1917. Some of them
staged demonstrations and led marches from the front. Under Soviet rule, women equally
participated in economic progress and development.
(iv) The Liberals: The Liberals believed in the basic rights of every individual. They stood
against
the despotic rule of the monarchs and nobles. The Liberals wanted to establish an elected
and parliamentary government with an independent judiciary. However, they did not support
universal adult franchise.
(v) Stalin’s collectivisation programme: Stalin devised the economic policy of
collectivisation by
which small land holdings were made into large farms. These farms would be collectively
owned
by the peasants and profits would be shared among all. A large number of peasants opposed
this
move by the government.
Question 7:
Imagine that you are a middle-level wheat farmer in Russia after collectivisation. You have decided to write a letter to Stalin explaining your objections to collectivisation. What would you write about the conditions of your life? What do you think would be Stalin's response to such a farmer?
Answer:
As an independent farmer, I would have felt wronged by the government's move to collectivise
farms.
My farming implements and animals would be taken away and I would have to abide by the
decisions
taken collectively. If I were writing a letter to Stalin, I would have pleaded to him to not
confiscate my
fields. It would be difficult to support my family if my resources were seized. My income
would not
be sufficient if profits would be shared by all.
Stalin's response would have been very unfavourable against such a plea from a farmer. The
government
would have levied very high taxes on such independent farmers. Other harsh restrictions
would have
been imposed on cultivators who opposed the collectivisation of farms.
Question 8:
List any two differences between the capitalist and socialist ideas of private property.
Answer:
The differences between the capitalist and socialist ideas of private property are as
follows:
(i) Under capitalism, property and resources would be owned by private individuals. On the
contrary,
socialism stands for public ownership of all means of production and resources. The
government
owns and manages all the resources within a country.
(ii) The motive of the private individuals is to make profits in a capitalist economy. The
welfare of
the people is the primary aim in a socialist economy.
Question 9:
Why were there revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905? What were the demands of revolutionaries?
Answer:
There were revolutionary disturbances in Russia in 1905 because:
(i) Japan defeated Russia in the Sino-Japanese War in 1904–1905.
(ii) The prices of the essential goods rose quickly and the real wages had declined.
(iii) People were unhappy with the Czarist rule in Russia.
The revolutionaries demanded the following:
(i) The cultivators demanded the ownership of land holdings.
(ii) The working conditions should be improved.
(iii) The wages of the workers should be increased and the working hours should be reduced.
Question 10:
Read the extract and list five changes in the mood of the workers.
Answer:
(i) The changes in the mood of the workers can be described as follows:
(a) The workers were now ready to go to any extent for the welfare of their colleagues.
(b) Women become an inspiring force for their male co-workers.
(c) Unity among women and men was a unique feature which strengthened the strikes.
(d) The workers were fearless now and they did not hesitate in agitating against the factory
management.
(e) The workers came out openly in huge support for the movement.
Question 11:
Read the two views on the revolution in the countryside. Imagine yourself to be a witness to
the events. Write a short account from the standpoint of:
(i) an owner of an estate
(ii) a small peasant
(iii) a journalist
Answer:
(i) As an owner of an estate, it would be devastating to lose all the land and assets. The
estate would
be looted and all the resources would be snatched. There was no one among the small farmers
to whom the owner could express his grievances.
(ii) This was a great opportunity for the small peasants to acquire land and other assets.
All of a
sudden, they became wealthy.
(iii) All the events were occurring so quickly, that it was difficult to fully cover and
report each
incident in detail. Lands were taken away forcibly from their owners and the general
peasants
were rejoicing in their victory.
Question 12:
Why did people in Central Asia respond to the Russian Revolution in different ways?
Answer:
People in Central Asia responded positively with enthusiasm to the February Revolution of 1917, as they got rid of the oppressive Czarist regime. It strengthened their hopes for autonomy. The people responded with fear at the outbreak of the October Revolution in 1917. The people in Central Asia thought that the Bolsheviks would now impose dictatorial power on them.