NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

These Solutions are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution. Free PDF download of NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science (India and the Contemporary World – I) Chapter 2 – Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution. All questions are explained by the expert Social Science teacher and as per NCERT (CBSE) guidelines.

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

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?
Answer: The vast majority of Russia’s population were agriculturists. About 85 per cent of Russian empires population earned their living from Agriculture. This proportion was higher than in most European countries. In France and Germany, the proportion was between 40 per cent and 50 per cent. Cultivators produced for the market as well as for their own needs and Russia was a major exporter of grain.

Question 3.
Why did the Tsarist autocracy in Russia collapse in 1917?
Answer:

During the winter of 1917, factory workers faced acute food shortages and extreme cold climate. Dissatisfaction was raging high among the workers.

A factory lockout on the right bank of the river Neva, triggered a strike in the month of February, 1917. 50 other factories joined in the strike. In many factories women led the strike. The government tried many measures to contain the strike. Curfew was imposed, the cavalry and police were called out to suppress the workers. The dissatisfied worker could not be contained. On the 27th of February, the Police Head Quarters’ were ransacked.

The turning point of this revolt was when the government regiments joined the striking workers. They formed the ‘ Soviet’ or ‘Council’. The Tsar was advised to abdicate. Thus the February Revolution brought down the monarchy in 1917.

Question 4.
Make two lists: one with the main events and 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 the impact of each was on Soviet history.
Answer:

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?
Answer:

  1. Banks and Industries were nationalised.
  2. Land was declared as social property.
  3. Peasants seized land from the nobility.
  4. Large houses were partitioned according to family requirements.
  5. The use of old titles by aristocrats was banned.
  6. New uniforms were introduced for the army and officials. The famous soviet hat (budeonovka) was introduced.

Question 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: a. Kulaks : 1. Wealthy peasants who Stalin believed were hoarding the grains to gain more profit. 2. When the towns faced acute shortage of grains, Kulaks were thought to be responsible behind it. 3. Stalin thought it was necessary to eliminate them so that farms could be modernised.

b. the Duma : In 1905, Tsar allowed the creation of an elected consultative Parliament or Duma. The Tsar dismissed the first Duma within 75 days and re-elected the second Duma within three months. Tsar did not want anyone to question his authority or undermine and reduce his powers. Tsar changed the voting laws and packed the Third Duma with conservative politicians. Liberals and revolutionaries were kept out.

c. women workers between 1900 and 1930 : 1. Their wages were less than the wages of men. 2. They formed 31% of the factory workforce.

d. the Liberals: 1. They considered all religions as equal. 2. They believed only men who have property had the right to vote 3. They wanted an elected form of Parliamentary governance.

e. Stalin’s collectivisation programme. 1. He began this program in 1929. 2. He believed this program would help in improving grain supplies. 3. All peasants were forced to cultivate in collective farms called kolkhoz. 4. On the contrary, this worsened the food supply situation.