Textbook Questions: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
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1. What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Answer: Social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905:
- Social: The Russian society was highly stratified, with a rigid class system dominated by the monarchy and the nobility. The majority of the population were peasants who lived in the countryside and were subject to the control of the landowning nobles. There was also a small but growing working class in urban areas, facing harsh living and working conditions.
- Economic: Russia was primarily an agrarian society with around 85% of its population involved in agriculture. The economy was relatively backward compared to other European countries, and industrialization was limited to certain pockets in cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow.
- Political: Russia was an autocracy under the rule of Tsar Nicholas II. The political system was characterized by absolute monarchy, where the Tsar held supreme power and was not subject to parliamentary oversight. Political parties were illegal, and any opposition to the Tsarist regime was brutally suppressed.
2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
Answer: Differences in the working population in Russia and Europe before 1917:
- The size of the Russian working class was relatively small compared to other European countries, but it was growing as industrialization advanced.
- Russian workers faced longer working hours and harsher working conditions than their counterparts in Western Europe.
- There was a significant divide among workers based on their skills, with some considering themselves superior to others based on their professions.
- Women workers constituted a considerable portion of the labour force, but they were paid significantly less than male workers and faced gender-based discrimination.
3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
Answer: Reasons for the collapse of the Tsarist autocracy in 1917:
- The impact of World War I: The strain of the war on Russia’s resources and the heavy casualties led to widespread discontent and a loss of support for the Tsarist government.
- Socio-economic problems: The economy was in disarray, leading to food shortages and high inflation, which worsened the living conditions of the population.
- Lack of political reforms: The Tsar’s refusal to share power and implement political reforms, despite growing demands for constitutional rights and representation, led to increasing unrest and dissatisfaction among various social groups.
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:
Main events and effects of the February Revolution:
- Main events: Strikes and demonstrations erupted in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) in February 1917, fuelled by food shortages and dissatisfaction with the war effort. The soldiers in the Petrograd garrison joined the protests, and mutinied against the Tsar.
- Effects: Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne in March 1917, leading to the establishment of a Provisional Government composed of liberals and socialists. The Provisional Government pledged to hold elections for a Constituent Assembly to determine the future of Russia.
Main events and effects of the October Revolution:
- Main events: In October 1917, the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, staged an uprising against the Provisional Government. The Military Revolutionary Committee, under Leon Trotsky’s leadership, seized key government buildings, leading to the fall of the Provisional Government.
- Effects: The Bolsheviks established a socialist government, known as the Soviet government, led by Lenin. They began implementing radical reforms, including nationalization of industries, redistribution of land, and withdrawal from World War I.
Impact on Soviet history:
The February Revolution led to the end of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of the Provisional Government. However, this government struggled to address the pressing issues facing Russia and failed to meet the expectations of the people, leading to disillusionment and discontent. The October Revolution, on the other hand, marked the rise of the Bolsheviks to power and the formation of the Soviet state. The Bolsheviks initiated radical reforms that significantly reshaped Russia’s political, economic, and social landscape. They established the foundation for the Soviet Union, transforming it into the world’s first socialist state. However, the consolidation of power by the Bolsheviks also led to the suppression of political opposition, a one-party system, and a centralized, authoritarian rule, which would define Soviet history for decades to come.
5. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
Answer: Main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution:
- Nationalization of industries and banks, putting them under state control.
- Land reform and redistribution, transferring land from nobles to peasants.
- Withdrawal from World War I and the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty with Germany, ending Russian involvement in the war.
- Decree on Peace, calling for a just and democratic peace for all nations.
- Decree on Land, transferring land to the peasants.
- Decree on Workers’ Control, granting workers greater control over factory management.
6. Write a few lines to show what you know about:
- kulaks
- the Duma
- women workers between 1900 and 1930
- the Liberals
- Stalin’s collectivisation programme.
Answer:
- Kulaks: Kulaks were affluent peasants in Russia who were accused by the Soviet government of hoarding grain and resisting collectivization during the 1920s and 1930s. Many of them were subjected to harsh policies and repressions, leading to a significant loss of their property and livelihoods.
- The Duma: The Duma was the Russian parliament that was established in 1905 as a result of the 1905 Revolution. It was an elected legislative body that aimed to represent various sections of society, but its powers were often limited by the Tsar’s autocratic rule.
- Women workers between 1900 and 1930: Women workers during this period faced discrimination and gender-based wage disparities. While they were active in various industries, they were often relegated to low-paying and less-skilled jobs.
- The Liberals: Liberals were a political group in Russia that advocated for constitutional reforms, political freedoms, and a representative government. They played a significant role in the early stages of the revolution but gradually lost influence as more radical forces gained power.
- Stalin’s collectivization program: Stalin’s collectivization program aimed to consolidate small individual farms into collective farms, with the goal of increasing agricultural productivity and advancing socialist ideals. However, it resulted in resistance from farmers, mass confiscation of property, and severe famines in the early 1930s.