66 Short Questions and Answers on Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

66 Short Questions and Answers on Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

1. Categorise the responses that emerged in Europe after the French Revolution.

The responses that emerged in Europe after the French Revolution can be categorised as ‘conservative’, ‘liberal’ and ‘radical’.

2. What does the term ‘conservative’ mean?

The conservatives believed in respect for the past and change through a gradual process.

3. Who were the ‘radicals’?

The radicals believed in drastic change of society. A society based on majority rule and was in favour of women’s suffragette.

i. They were opposed to privileges of landowners and wealthy factory owners.

ii. They disliked concentration of property in few hands.

4. What differentiated the ‘liberals’ from the democrats?

What differentiated the liberals from the democrats was that the liberals did not believe in universal franchise and were against right of women to vote.

5. List some similarities between ‘liberals’ and ‘radicals’.

Both liberals and radicals firmly believed in value of individual effort, labour and enterprise. They were in favour of privileges based on merit not birth.

6. What was the significance of the Russian Revolution?

The most significant feature of the Russian Revolution was the establishment of a socialist state.

7. Into which two prominent political groups was the Russian Socialist Democratic Labour Party divided in 1898.

(i) Bolsheviks and

(ii) Mensheviks.

8. What according to Socialism was the root of all evils in society?

Socialist regarded private property as the root of all evils in society.

9. Give any two features of Socialism.

(i) Means of production are owned by the state. There is no concept of private property.

(ii) The socialist idea is “From each according to his capacity, to each according to his work”.

10. Why were the socialists against private property and capitalism?

Socialists considered private property as the main cause for class divisions which is why they favoured abolition of private property. Therefore, capitalism with its profit motive became the main target of the socialists.

11. List names of two advocates of cooperatives.

(i) Robert Owen

(ii) Louis Blanc.

12. What was the name of the cooperative community built by Robert Owen? Where was it started?

The name of the cooperative community started by Robert Owen was New Harmony. It was started in Indiana (USA).

13. What was the basic difference between the cooperatives advocated by Robert Owen and Louis Blanc?

While Robert Owen favoured individual initiative in the setting up of cooperatives, Louis 451anc favoured government intervention in setting up of cooperatives.

14. (a) Name the international body formed to coordinate socialist efforts.

The Second International was the body formed in 1870, to coordinate socialist efforts throughout Europe.

14. (b) What was second International?

Second International was- an international body formed in the 1870s. It was set up to coordinate the efforts and ideas of socialists who were spread throughout Europe.

15. Why were workers associations formed in France, Britain and Germany?

Workers associations were formed in France, Britain and Germany to fight for better living and working conditions and to pressurize governments to grant right to vote to workers.

16. List the names of two workers associations.

The names are:

(i) Labour Party in Britain

(ii) Socialist Party in France.

17. How did the Socialists succeed in influencing legislation prior to 1914?

Prior to 1914, the socialists were unable to form a government of their own, but were able to influence legislation through their strong parliamentary representatives.

18. Where and when was the first Socialist Government formed?

The first Socialist Government was formed in Russia after the 1917, October Revolution.

19. What is meant by the term Russian Revolution?

The Russian Revolution entails fall of monarchy (Tsar) in February 1917 and the events of October 1917.

20. Name the Tsar in whose reign the Revolution broke out.

Nicholas II was the Tsar of Russia at the time of the Revolution.

21. List the religious groups in Russia before 1914.

Majority of Russians belonged to the Russian Orthodox Christianity. Others were Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Buddhists.

22. What were the contributions of Lenin?

Contributions of Lenin were:

(i) Lenin was leader of the Bolshevik party.

(ii) After assuming power he directed the social and economic revolution of October 1917 and made Russia the first communist state in the world.

23. Emergence of the Soviet Union as a great power after World War I was considered a danger by many countries.

Give reasons:

Reasons why Soviet Union was considered a danger by many countries after the World War I were:

(i) The communist ideology of the Soviet Union was viewed as a threat to the social and economic system of the Western European countries.

(ii) There was fear in many capitalist countries of Western Europe that Soviet Union was helping many countries to turn communist.

24. What were the two stages of the Russian Revolution?

The Russian Revolution of 1917 had two stages. They were:

(i) The February Revolution or political stage when Tsar abdicated his throne and the Mensheviks under Kerenskii came to power.

(ii) The October Revolution or economic and social stage, when the Bolsheviks under the leadership of Lenin overthrew Kerenskii’s government and seized control.

25. What was the condition of the non-Russian nationalities before the 1917 Russian revolution?

Prior to the 1917 Russian Revolution:

The non-Russians were treated as inferiors. They neither enjoyed equal status or equal rights. Russian language was imposed on them and they were not allowed to practise their own culture or language.

26. Name and mention one difference between the political parties that represented the industrial workers?

The two political parties were the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. The Mensheviks believed in establishing a parliamentary system of government while the Bolsheviks favoured a socialist system by force, if necessary.

27. Give any two reforms introduced by Tsar Nicholas-II immediately after the Revolution of 1905.

The Tsar Nicholas-II:

(i) Introduced the October manifesto which granted the people freedom of speech, press and association.

(ii) Power to make laws was conferred upon on elected body called the Duma. 28. Who was the leader of the Bolshevik Party? Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party.

29. What was the attitude of former USSR towards the movements for independence in Asia?

(i) The USSR was against imperialism and supported independence movements occurring in Asia.

(ii) Immediately after the Revolution the Soviet government annulled the unequal treaties which the Tsar had imposed on China. It supported China’s efforts at unification under Sun-Yat-Sen.

30. Who were the Bolshevik’s?

Bolsheviks formed the majority party. They were eager to establish a socialist state as quickly as possible, even by force and violence if need be.

31. What according to Lenin were the prerequisites necessary to make the Revolution a success?

Perquisites to make the Revolution a success were:

(i) People should fully understand that revolution is necessary and be ready to sacrifice their lives for it.

(ii) The existing government should be in a state of crisis to enable it to be overthrown quickly.

32. The Russian Revolution of 1905 was a dress rehersal of the October Revolution of 1917.

Comment:

The Revolution of 1905 was a dress rehersal of the October Revolution of 1917:

(i) The 1905 revolution aroused the people and prepared them for the later events.

(ii) It drew soldiers and the people of non-Russian nationalities into closer contact with the Russian revolutionaries.

33. In early 20th century what was the main occupation of the Russian people?

The main occupation of vast majority of Russians in early 20th century was agriculture.

34. What was the main source of export earnings?

Grain was the main source of export earnings in Russia.

35. What factors contributed to industrialisation in Russia in the last quarter of the 19th century?

Factors enabling industrialisation were:

(i) increased foreign investments.

(ii) extension of railway network.

(iii) doubling of coal production.

(iv) quadrupling of iron and steel output.

36. What was the basis on which workers were divided in Russia?

In Russia, workers were divided on the basis of skill.

37. Who among the workers were aristocrats?

The metal workers considered themselves aristocrats among other workers.

38. What industries were most prone to strikes?

The metal and textile industry were most prone to strikes.

39. What was the source of power and position of the nobles?

Services to the Tsar and not local popularity was the source of power and position of the nobles.

40. How were the peasants in Russia different from other European peasants?

Peasants of Russia were different from other European peasants because they posted their land periodically and the commune divided it according to the needs of individual families.

41. What was the source of inspiration for the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party (RSDWP)?

The source of inspiration for the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party was Marx’s ideas.

42. How did the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party (RSDWP) enlist support?

The RSDWP enlisted support by setting up a newspaper, mobilising workers and organising strikes.

43. Why did the Russian Socialists feel peasants and not workers would be the main force of the Revolution in Russia?

The Socialists felt that the peasants would be the main force of the revolution because Russian peasants were natural socialists. They had the custom of dividing land periodically according to the needs of individual families.

44. State the reason for the split in the RSDWP.

The RSDWP split over the question of organisation and policy.

45. List the names of the leaders, and the names of the groups into which the RSDWP split.

The two groups into which the RSDWP split were (i) Mensheviks and (ii) Bolsheviks.

i. Mensheviks was a minority group under Alexander Kerensky.

ii. Bolsheviks was a majority group whose leader was popularly known as Lenin.

46. Briefly explain the term ‘Bloody Sunday’.

The term ‘Bloody Sunday’ relates to the event of Jan. 22, 1905 in Petersburg when a mass of peaceful workers and their families, were fired upon by the police when they were on their way to the Winter Palace, to present a petition to the Tsar.

In this firing more than over 100 workers were killed and about 300 wounded.

47. How did the war on the eastern front differ from war on the western front?

On the western front armies fought the war from trenches. While on the eastern front armies moved a great deal and the battles left large casualties.

48. Why is International Women’s Day celebrated on February 22nd?

International Women’s Day is celebrated on February 22nd, as a mark of honour, because on this day in Russia many women led the way to strikes in factories.

49. Name the ship which played an important role in the assault of the Winter Palace.

The name of the ship which played an important role in the assault of the Winter Palace was ‘AURORA’.

50. What was the single most important cause for the breakup of the Russian army?

The single most important cause for the breakup of the Russian army was Bolshevik order of land redistribution. Most soldiers in the army were peasants. They wanted to go home for land redistribution.

51. Who were the ‘Reds’?

The Bolsheviks were called ‘Reds’.

52. Who were called ‘Whites’ and ‘Greens’?

The pro Tsarists were called ‘Whites’ and socialist revolutionaries were called ‘Greens’.

53. Which two groups fought one another in the civil war that ensued after the October Revolution?

The non-Bolsheviks, socialists, liberals and supporters of autocracy backed by foreign troops, fought the Bolsheviks in the civil war that ensued after the October Revolution.

54. State the reason for loss of popular support for non-Bolsheviks.

The harsh steps taken by supporters of non-Bolsheviks, against peasants who had seized land was the cause for loss of popular support for non-Bolsheviks.

55. What were the factors behind Bolshevik success in the Civil War?

The factors responsible for Bolshevik success in the Civil War were

(i) Bolshevik order of land redistribution and

(ii) cooperation with non-Russian nationalists and Muslim Jadidists.

56. Which treaty marked the end of Russia’s participation in the First World War?

The Treaty of Brest Litovsk between Russia and Germany in 1918 marked the end of Russia’s participation in the First World War.

57. Explain the term ‘extended school system’.

Under the ‘extended school system’, education for all was the motive of the state. Arrangements were made for factory workers and peasants to enter universities.

58. What were the immediate consequences of centralised planning?

Centralised planning led to (i) Economic growth, (ii) Coal, oil and steel production registered 100% increase, (iii) New factory cities developed.

59. Who succeeded to power after Lenin?

Stalin succeeded to power after Lenin.

60. What emergency measure did Stalin introduce?

Stalin introduced the emergency measure called ‘collectivisation’.

61. Why did Stalin introduce collectivisation?

Stalin introduced collectivisation to overcome the problem of acute shortages of grain.

62. How were the critics of Planned Economy and Collectivisation within the party handled by Stalin?

Critics within the party were handled sternly by Stalin. They were charged with conspiracy against socialism, were imprisoned or sent to labour camps or executed.

63. What was to be the basis of socialist society?

Socialist society was to be a classless society. Private property was to be abolished and means of production and distribution were to be in the hands of the people.

64. Bolsheviks came to power under Lenin using which slogan?

The Bolshevik slogan was “All Power to the Soviets”.

65. Why was Kerenskii’s government unpopular?

Kerenskii’s government was unpopular because he could not fulfil the four-fold demands of the people (peace, land to the tiller, equal status to non-Russian nationalities, and nationalisation of banks and industry).

66. State two objectives of Stalin’s Five Year Pl

Stalin’s Five Year Plans had the following objectives:

(i) Sought to overcome the economic and political problems which plagued the Soviet economy.

(ii) Aimed at revitalising all sectors of the economy particularly industry, introducing a totalitarian regime, and collectivisation of agriculture.