Socialism in Europe & the Russian Revolution

Question 1

Liberals

Answer 1

• Supported Tolerance of all Religions.
• Supported elected Parliamentary government and a Independent Judiciary.
• Wanted to safeguard induvidual rights.
• Opposed the Monarchy.
• Opposed Universal Adult Franchise ( Only Men to Vote ).

Question 2

Radicals

Answer 2

• Supported Majority based Government.
• Supported Women voting rights.
• Supported equally distributed private property.
• Opposed privileges of big landowners and factory owners.

Question 3

Conservatives

Answer 3

• Earlier opposed the idea of change but later changed their mind.
• Wanted the past to be respected.
• Wanted change at a slow pace.

Question 4

Russian Economy and Industries in 20th Century.

Answer 4

• 85% revenue = agriculture.
• Few Industries [ St Petersburg & Moscow ].
• New Factories Setup near Rail - Coal (2x) while Iron/Steel (4x)
• Industries were corporate.
• Large factories - supervised by the Government (min. wages and work hours).
• Work hours exceeded 15hrs in small factories and workshops.

Question 5

Russian Society in 20th Century.

[ Workers and Peasants life ]

Answer 5

Industrial Regions:

• Workers were divided based on skill. ( i.e. Metal workers is superior )
• Women were payed less than men.
• Workers were united when they fought against employers.

Countryside:

• Peasants cultivated on land owned by nobels, crown and church.
• Peasants were divided based on religion but were united against the nobels.
• Peasant community was called commune (mir).
• They wanted land of nobels to be given to them. They refused to pay rent and murdered landlords.

Question 6

How were the Russian Peasants different from other Europeans?

Answer 6

Russian Peasants accumulated their land together (collectivise) and later divided the land based on family needs.

They were considered natural socialist.

Question 7

List the reasons responsible for the 1905 revolution.

Answer 7

• In 1904, rising prices of essentials decreased Real wages by 20%.
• Four members of Putilov Iron works were dismissed.
• Workers in demanded for reduction of work hours and increase in wages.

Question 8

Bloody Sunday

Answer 8

On Sunday of 1905, a procession of workers lead by Father Gapon reached the winter palace to present a petition to the Tsar. They were attacked by the police and the Cossacks. Many workers were killed and wounded.

Question 9

Aftermath of Bloody Sunday

[ Events and Tsar’s Reaction ]

Answer 9

Events which took place,

• Strikes spread throught Russia.
• Universities closed down after students had lack of civil liberty.
• Doctors, lawyers, engineers established a Union of Union and demanded for a Constituent Assembly.
• Trade Unions and Committees were established.
• Severe restriction was placed on Political Activity.

Reaction of the Tsar,

• Tsar allowed creation of Elected Consultative Parliament, i.e., Duma.

Question 10

First World War in Russia

[ How was it fought? Did Russia lose to any army? ]

Answer 10

• Armies fought the war in two directions, i.e., Eastern & Western.
  Eastern army - left large casualties
  Western armies - fought along trenches in Eastern France.
• Russian armies lost badly against Germany and Austria between 1914 and 1916.

Question 11

Effects of the First World War in Russia

Answer 11

• 3 million refugees.
• War affected the industry. Economy was hit badly.
• By 1916, railway lines began to breakdown.
• All men were called to war - Lead to shutdown of small workshops.
• Large supplies of grain was sent for the army - As a result food scarcity began.