NCERT Solutions Class 9 (social Science) History Chapter – 2 ‘Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution’ Quesiton Answer
Q. 1. What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Answer:-
Social, Economic, and Political Conditions in Russia Before 1905
Before 1905, Russia faced severe social, economic, and political challenges, leading to widespread discontent and revolutionary movements.
1️⃣ Social Conditions
👥 Rigid Class Structure – Russian society was divided into three main groups:
- Nobility – Owned vast lands and held privileges.
- Clergy – Influential in religious and social matters.
- Peasants & Workers – Formed the majority but lived in poverty.
⚖️ Social Inequality – The Russian Orthodox Church dominated religious life, while non-Russian nationalities faced discrimination.
🚧 Poor Living Conditions – Workers lived in overcrowded slums, facing low wages and long working hours.
2️⃣ Economic Conditions
🌾 Agricultural Dominance – 85% of Russians were engaged in farming, but land distribution was highly unequal.
🏭 Limited Industrialization – Factories were concentrated in St. Petersburg & Moscow, with harsh working conditions.
💰 Foreign Investments – Russia relied on foreign capital for industrial growth, leading to exploitation of workers.
3️⃣ Political Conditions
👑 Absolute Monarchy – Tsar Nicholas II ruled with complete authority, believing in the divine right of kings.
🚫 No Political Freedom – All political parties were illegal, and opposition was suppressed.
🔥 Growing Revolutionary Movements – Socialists and liberals demanded reforms, leading to protests.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Social inequality and economic hardships fueled dissatisfaction.
✅ Political repression prevented democratic reforms.
✅ The 1905 Revolution was triggered by these conditions, demanding change.
Q. 2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917 ?
Answer:-
Differences Between the Working Population in Russia and Europe Before 1917
Before 1917, the working population in Russia was distinct from other European countries due to its economic structure, industrial development, and social divisions.
1️⃣ Higher Dependence on Agriculture
🌾 85% of Russians were agriculturalists, compared to 40-50% in Western Europe.
🚜 Russian peasants produced for both markets and self-consumption, unlike European farmers who were more market-oriented.
2️⃣ Uneven Industrialization
🏭 Industrial activity was concentrated in a few cities like St. Petersburg & Moscow, whereas Europe had widespread industrial centers.
⚙️ Russian workers faced harsh conditions, long hours, and low wages, making their situation worse than in Western Europe.
3️⃣ Social Divisions Among Workers
👥 Workers were divided based on skill—metalworkers considered themselves aristocrats among laborers.
🏡 Many Russian workers maintained strong ties to their villages, unlike European workers who were more urbanized.
4️⃣ Political Backwardness
🚫 No labor unions or political rights—Russian workers had no legal representation, unlike European workers who formed trade unions and socialist parties.
🔥 Growing revolutionary movements—Russian workers were more radical, leading to the 1917 Revolution.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Russia had a larger agricultural workforce compared to Europe.
✅ Industrialization was limited, with harsh working conditions.
✅ Workers were socially divided, unlike the more unified European labor movements.
✅ Political repression led to stronger revolutionary sentiments in Russia.
Q. 3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917 ?
Answer:-
Reasons for the Collapse of Tsarist Autocracy in 1917
The Tsarist autocracy in Russia, led by Tsar Nicholas II, collapsed in 1917 due to a combination of economic hardships, political failures, and social unrest.
1️⃣ Economic Hardships
💰 Severe Poverty – Peasants and workers faced low wages, high taxes, and food shortages.
🌾 Agricultural Crisis – Land distribution was unequal, leading to famine and rural distress.
🏭 Industrial Struggles – Factory workers endured long hours, poor conditions, and low wages.
2️⃣ Political Failures
👑 Absolute Monarchy – Tsar Nicholas II ruled without consulting the people, ignoring their demands.
🚫 Lack of Political Reforms – No democratic institutions existed, and political parties were banned.
🔥 Growing Revolutionary Movements – Socialists and liberals demanded change and representation.
3️⃣ Impact of World War I
⚔️ Military Defeats – Russia suffered huge losses, lowering morale among soldiers and citizens.
🚨 Economic Strain – War led to inflation, food shortages, and unemployment, worsening public anger.
📢 Soldiers & Workers Revolted – The army refused to support the Tsar, leading to his downfall.
4️⃣ February Revolution (1917)
🏰 Mass Protests in Petrograd – Workers and soldiers demanded an end to autocracy.
📜 Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II – The Tsar was forced to step down, marking the end of monarchy.
🏛️ Provisional Government Formed – Russia moved towards democratic governance, but instability remained.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Economic crisis, political repression, and war failures led to the Tsar’s downfall.
✅ Mass protests and revolutionary movements forced the monarchy to collapse.
✅ The February Revolution (1917) marked the beginning of a new political era in Russia.
Q. 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.
Answer:-
February Revolution (1917)
Main Events:
📢 Mass protests in Petrograd due to food shortages and harsh working conditions.
🚨 Workers and soldiers joined the protests, demanding an end to Tsarist rule.
🏛️ Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, marking the collapse of the monarchy.
📜 Provisional Government was formed, led by Alexander Kerensky.
Effects:
✅ End of Tsarist autocracy, paving the way for democratic reforms.
✅ Provisional Government took control, but failed to address key issues.
✅ Rise of Bolsheviks, who gained support for a more radical change.
October Revolution (1917)
Main Events:
⚔️ Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew the Provisional Government in a coup.
🏰 Storming of the Winter Palace, marking the Bolshevik takeover.
📜 Establishment of Soviet rule, replacing the Provisional Government.
🔴 Russia withdrew from World War I, signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
Effects:
✅ Creation of a communist government, led by the Bolsheviks.
✅ End of private property, with land and industries nationalized.
✅ Civil War (1918-1922) between Bolsheviks (Reds) and anti-Bolsheviks (Whites).
Who Was Involved & Impact on Soviet History
The February Revolution was led by workers, soldiers, and political activists, resulting in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The Provisional Government, under Alexander Kerensky, attempted reforms but failed to address key issues like land distribution and war participation.
The October Revolution was led by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks, who seized power and established a communist state. This revolution marked the beginning of Soviet rule, leading to the formation of the USSR in 1922. It also influenced global communist movements, shaping 20th-century politics.
Q. 5. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
Answer:-
Main Changes Brought by the Bolsheviks After the October Revolution (1917)
After the October Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, introduced radical changes to establish a socialist state in Russia. These reforms aimed to abolish private property, redistribute resources, and strengthen communist rule.
1️⃣ Nationalization of Industries & Banks
🏭 Factories & industries were nationalized, meaning they were taken over by the government.
💰 Banks were also nationalized, ensuring state control over financial resources.
2️⃣ Abolition of Private Property
🚜 Land was declared social property, allowing peasants to seize land from the nobility.
🏡 Large houses were partitioned and distributed based on family needs.
3️⃣ Establishment of a One-Party State
🔴 The Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik).
📜 All opposition parties were banned, making Russia a one-party state.
4️⃣ Withdrawal from World War I
⚔️ In March 1918, Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, ending its participation in World War I.
🚨 This decision was controversial but helped the Bolsheviks focus on internal reforms.
5️⃣ Suppression of Opposition
🔍 Secret police (Cheka) was established to eliminate political opponents.
🚧 Censorship was imposed, restricting criticism of the Bolshevik government.
6️⃣ Social & Cultural Changes
🎭 New Soviet symbols were introduced, including the red flag and hammer & sickle.
📚 Education and literacy programs were launched to spread communist ideology.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Industries, banks, and land were nationalized to establish socialism.
✅ Russia withdrew from World War I to focus on internal reforms.
✅ Opposition was suppressed, leading to a one-party communist state.
✅ Social and cultural changes reinforced Bolshevik ideology.
Q. 6. 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.
Answer:-
Brief Notes on Key Terms from the Russian Revolution
(a) Kulaks
👨🌾 Kulaks were wealthy peasants in Russia who owned large farms.
🚜 They were targeted by Stalin’s collectivization policy, as he believed they were hoarding grain.
⚠️ Many Kulaks were arrested, exiled, or executed during forced collectivization.
(b) The Duma
🏛️ The Duma was the Russian Parliament, created after the 1905 Revolution.
📜 Initially, it had limited power, as Tsar Nicholas II dissolved it multiple times.
⚖️ It played a role in political reforms, but was ultimately suspended in 1917.
(c) Women Workers (1900-1930)
👩 Women made up 31% of the factory workforce in Russia.
💰 They were paid less than men, earning half to three-quarters of a man’s wage.
🔥 Women played a key role in the February Revolution (1917), leading strikes for better conditions.
(d) The Liberals
📢 Liberals were a political group that opposed absolute monarchy.
⚖️ They supported religious tolerance, individual rights, and parliamentary government.
🚫 However, they did not support universal suffrage, restricting voting rights to property-owning men.
(e) Stalin’s Collectivization Programme
🌾 Introduced in 1929, aiming to merge individual farms into collective farms (Kolkhoz).
🚜 Private land ownership was abolished, and peasants were forced to work on state-controlled farms.
⚠️ Resistance led to severe repression, including mass deportations and famine.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Kulaks were wealthy peasants, targeted during collectivization.
✅ The Duma was Russia’s Parliament, but had limited power.
✅ Women workers faced discrimination, but played a role in revolutionary movements.
✅ Liberals supported democracy, but restricted voting rights.
✅ Stalin’s collectivization led to forced farming and severe consequences.