Extra 20 important long question and answers of chapter-2 "Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution" for Class 9 CBSE History:-
Q: Describe the social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905.
A:
Socially, Russia had a highly stratified society with a vast majority of peasants and a small privileged elite.
Economically, Russia was largely agrarian with outdated farming methods and limited industrialization.
Politically, Russia was an autocracy under Tsar Nicholas II, with no representative government.
The peasants faced extreme poverty and landlessness.
Industrial workers faced poor working conditions and low wages.
Discontent among various social groups led to growing revolutionary movements.
Q: Explain the key ideas of socialism and how they differed from liberalism and conservatism.
A:
Socialism advocated for collective ownership and control of resources, aiming for economic equality.
It differed from liberalism, which emphasized individual rights and free markets.
It contrasted with conservatism, which supported traditional hierarchies and gradual change.
Socialists desired a society without class divisions.
Socialists believed in the importance of social welfare and state intervention.
Marxism, a form of socialism, predicted a class struggle leading to a communist society.
Q: What were the main events and outcomes of the 1905 Russian Revolution?
A:
"Bloody Sunday" sparked widespread strikes and protests against the Tsarist regime.
The Tsar was forced to concede to the creation of the Duma, a representative assembly.
Trade unions and political parties were formed, expanding political participation.
The revolution revealed the deep-seated discontent and weakness of the Tsarist government.
Though the Tsar retained ultimate power, some reforms were made.
The revolution served as a dress
rehearsal
for the 1917 revolutions.
Q: Describe the events leading to the February Revolution of 1917 and its immediate consequences.
A:
World War I exacerbated existing economic and social problems, leading to food shortages and widespread discontent.
Strikes and protests erupted in Petrograd, leading to the Tsar's abdication.
A provisional government was formed, led by Alexander Kerensky.
The provisional government's failure to address key issues like land redistribution and withdrawal from the war
fuelled
further unrest.
The Soviets, workers and
soldiers
councils, gained significant power.
Dual power, between the provisional government, and the soviets, caused political instability.
Q: Explain the key ideas of Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and how they led to the October Revolution.
A:
Lenin advocated for a socialist revolution led by a disciplined vanguard party.
The Bolsheviks called for "Peace, Land, and Bread," appealing to soldiers, peasants, and workers.
Lenin's "April Theses" outlined the Bolsheviks' plan to seize power.
The Bolsheviks gained support in the Soviets, particularly in Petrograd and Moscow.
The October Revolution was a relatively bloodless coup that overthrew the provisional government.
The Bolsheviks promised to establish a socialist state.
Q: What were the main features and consequences of the Russian Civil War (1918-1921)?
A:
The "Red Army" (Bolsheviks) fought against the "White Army" (anti-Bolsheviks), supported by foreign powers.
"War Communism" was implemented to support the war effort, leading to economic hardship.
The Bolsheviks emerged victorious, consolidating their power.
The war resulted in widespread destruction, famine, and loss of life.
The Bolsheviks established a centralized, authoritarian state.
The civil war helped to radicalize the Bolsheviks.
Q: Describe the economic policies of Lenin, including "War Communism" and the "New Economic Policy" (NEP).
A:
"War Communism" involved nationalization, requisitioning, and strict state control during the Civil War.
It led to economic collapse and widespread discontent.
The NEP was introduced to revive the economy by allowing some private enterprise and trade.
The NEP led to economic recovery and stabilized the Soviet Union.
Lenin implemented these policies to maintain Bolshevik control.
The NEP was seen as a temporary retreat from complete socialism.
Q: Explain the rise of Stalin and the establishment of a totalitarian state in the Soviet Union.
A:
Stalin consolidated power after Lenin's death by eliminating political opponents like Trotsky.
He implemented a cult of personality, portraying himself as the sole leader of the Soviet Union.
The "Great Purge" eliminated perceived enemies and dissenters, establishing a climate of fear.
Stalin established complete control over the economy, society, and culture.
The state controlled all aspects of life, including media and education.
Stalin created a totalitarian state, with no room for opposition.
Q: Describe Stalin's policies of collectivization and industrialization and their impact on Soviet society.
A:
Collectivization forced peasants into large, state-controlled farms, leading to resistance and famine.
Industrialization focused on rapid development of heavy industry through "Five-Year Plans."
These policies led to significant economic growth but at a high human cost.
Millions of people died due to famine and forced
labour
.
The Soviet Union transformed into a major industrial power.
These policies helped to consolidate
Stalin’s
control.
Q: What was the impact of the Russian Revolution on the global socialist movement?
A:
The Russian Revolution inspired socialist and communist movements worldwide.
The
Comin tern
was established to promote socialist revolutions internationally.
It led to the formation of communist parties in many countries.
It created a division between socialist and communist movements.
It demonstrated the possibility of a successful socialist revolution.
The revolution influenced anti-colonial movements.
Q: Explain the role of women in the Russian Revolution and the early Soviet Union.
A:
Women played significant roles in protests and as industrial workers.
The Bolshevik government made efforts to improve women's rights, including legal equality and access to education.
Women were encouraged to participate in politics and the workforce.
The government established institutions to support women and children.
Despite advancements, gender inequality persisted.
The revolution helped to bring attention to
women’s
rights.
Q: What where the main causes of the 1905 revolution?
A:
The autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II.
Economic hardships and poor working conditions.
The humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War.
The "Bloody Sunday" massacre, which sparked widespread outrage.
The desire for political reforms and civil liberties.
Growth of revolutionary political parties.
Q: Describe the effects of world war one, on the Russian Empire.
A:
Massive casualties and military defeats.
Economic collapse and food shortages.
Increased discontent with the Tsarist regime.
Weakening of the Tsars authority.
Growth of anti-war sentiment.
The war created the conditions for the revolutions of 1917.
Q: What where the main differences between the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks?
A:
Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, advocated for a radical, immediate socialist revolution.
Mensheviks preferred a gradual transition to socialism through democratic means.
Bolsheviks emphasized a disciplined vanguard party to lead the revolution.
Mensheviks supported a broader, more inclusive party membership.
Bolsheviks believed in seizing power through a coup.
Mensheviks believed in working with the existing political system.
Q: Explain the significance of the treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
A:
It marked Russia's withdrawal from World War I.
Russia lost significant territory to Germany.
It allowed the Bolsheviks to consolidate their power.
It caused division among the Russian population.
It was seen as a humiliation by many Russians.
It allowed the Bolsheviks to focus on the civil war.
Q: What where the goals of the
Comin tern
?
A:
To promote
world wide
socialist revolution.
To unite communist parties under soviet leadership.
To provide financial and ideological support to revolutionary groups.
To spread communist ideology.
To create a global communist movement.
To challenge capitalist powers.
Q: Describe the economic effects of the Russian civil war.
A:
Widespread destruction of infrastructure and industry.
Hyperinflation and economic collapse.
Famine and food shortages.
Implementation of war communism, which caused economic problems.
Decline in agricultural production.
Massive loss of life.
Q: What where the effects of
Stalin’s
great purge?
A:
Elimination of political opponents and perceived enemies.
Creation of a climate of fear and paranoia.
Weakening of the Soviet military and bureaucracy.
Consolidation of
Stalin’s
absolute power.
Mass executions, imprisonments, and forced
labour
.
The destruction of many talented people.
Q: What where the goals of
Stalin’s
five year
plans?
A:
Rapid industrialization of the
soviet union
.
Modernization of the soviet economy.
Increase in industrial output.
Strengthening of the soviet military.
Transformation of the
soviet union
into a global power.
To make the
soviet union
self sufficient
.
Q: What where the social effects of collectivization?
A:
Resistance and revolts from peasants.
Forced relocation of millions of people.
Destruction of traditional rural life.
Famine and widespread death.
Loss of individual land ownership.
Establishment of state control over agriculture.
