Army Public School Dighi

Class IX
History: Chapter 2- Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
Extra Questions
Answer in short
1.Explain the views of different socialists and philosophers regarding the vision of the future or
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.

2. Explain any three reasons which led to civil war between the Bolsheviks and the Russian
army of non-Bolsheviks.
Or
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.

3. ‘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.

4. Mention any four features of the Russian economy at the beginning of the 20th century.
Or
Describe the economic condition of Russia before 1905.
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.
 Industry was found in pockets. Prominent industrial areas were St. Petersburg and
Moscow. Craftsmen undertook much of the production, but large factories existed
alongside craft workshops.
 Many factories were set up in the 1890s, when Russia’s railway network was extended,
and foreign investment in industry increased. Coal production doubled and iron and steel
output quadrupled.
 In the countryside, peasants cultivated most of the land. But the nobility, the crown and
the Orthodox Church owned large properties.
Long Answer Type Questions
1.What social changes were seen in the society after industrialization?
Or
How did industrialization change the lives of people in Europe? Explain.
Answer:
 Working Class: Industrialization brought men, women and children to factories. Work
hours were often long and wages were poor.
 Problem of Unemployment and Poverty: Problem of unemployment and poverty was rare
in the countryside but this became a common phenomenon with industrialization.
Unemployment was common, particularly during times of low demand for industrial
goods.
 Problem of Housing and Sanitation: Large-scale migration to cities lead to housing and
sanitation problem.
 Trade Unions: Workers in England and Germany began forming associations to fight for
better living and working conditions. They set up funds to help members in times of
distress and demanded a reduction of working hours and the right to vote. In Germany,
these associations worked closely with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and helped it
win parliamentary seats. By 1905, socialists and trade unionists formed a Labour Party in
Britain and a Socialist Party in France.
 Socialism: Trade unions and worker’s union lead to idea of socialism. The development
of the idea of socialism changed the political scenario. These trade unions stared
demanding share in political power.

2.Explain the collectivization policy of Stalin.

Or
What were the major changes Introduced in agriculture by Stalin? Explain.
Answer:
 The collectivization 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 modernized. 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.
 Enraged peasants resisted the authorities, and destroyed their livestock. Between 1929
and 1931, the number of cattle fell by one-third. Those who resisted collectivization were
severely punished. Many were deported and exiled.
 As they resisted collectivization, peasants argued that they were not rich, and were not
against socialism. They did not want to work in collective farms for a variety of reasons.
 Stalin’s government allowed some independent cultivation, but treated such cultivators
unsympathetically.
 In spite of collectivization, 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.

3.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 Kerenski, 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.