Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Important Questions History Chapter 2

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Important Questions Social Science History Chapter 2

In Class 9 History Social Science Chapter 2, you will learn about the rise of Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution. This chapter explains how different socialist ideas developed in Europe and how they influenced the Russian Revolution. To prepare well, students can refer to the class 9 history chapter 2 questions and answers that cover all the important topics. Solving both socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution class 9 long question answer and class 9 history chapter 2 socialism in Rurope and the Russian Revolution short question answer helps you understand key events better. Don’t forget to practice the NCERT class 9 social science history chapter 2 important questions to ensure thorough preparation.

Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Below we have discussed the short and long answer type questions for class 9 History chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Important Questions Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
In the context of Russia, which group was the supporter of women’s Suffragette Movements?

Answer:
Radicals.

Question 2:
Who was Karl Marx?

Answer:
Karl Marx was a philosopher who supported socialism. He believed that workers needed to build a socialist society to free themselves from capitalist exploitation, where all property was socially controlled.

Question 3:
By whom was ‘Das Capital’ written?

Answer:
Karl Marx.

Question 4:
Name the term that refers to ‘women’s right to vote’.

Answer:
Suffragette.

Question 5:
Who were the ‘greens’ and ‘whites’?

Answer:
They were groups against the Bolshevik Revolution and started a civil war. They were supported by the French, American, British, and Japanese troops, as these countries were worried about the growth of socialism in Russia.

Question 6:
What was the basic idea of socialism?

Answer:
Socialists were against private property and saw it as the root of all social problems of the time.

Question 7:
What was the basic idea of a communist society?

Answer:
All properties should be socially controlled.

Question 8:
Who built the cooperative called ‘New Harmony’?

Answer:
Robert Owen.

Question 9:
Name the European nation where the first ever socialist government was formed.

Answer:
Russia.

Question 10:
What was the Russian Revolution?

Answer:
The fall of the monarchy in February 1917, and the events of October are collectively called the Russian Revolution.

Question 11:
When was the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party founded, and by whom?

Answer:
In 1898, by the socialists who followed Marx’s ideas.

Question 12:
Who was ruling over Russia when the Russian Revolution took place?

Answer:
Tsar Nicholas II.

Question 13:
What was the Second International?

Answer:
It was an international organization formed to coordinate the ideas of socialists.

Question 14:
“The year 1904 was particularly bad for the Russian workers” – Give reason.

Answer:
In 1904, prices of essential goods rose quickly, and real wages fell by 20%.

Question 15:
What was the Duma?

Answer:
It was an elected consultative parliament in Russia.

Question 16:
Name the term that refers to the meaning of the word ‘Soviet’.

Answer:
A revolutionary organization.

Question 17:
What was Bolsheviks?

Answer:
It was a socialist party in Russia, led by Lenin.

Question 18:
What was Mensheviks?

Answer:
It was a breakaway group from the Bolsheviks, also a socialist party.

Question 19:
Define Kulaks.

Answer:
The wealthy farmers of Russia.

Question 20:
In the context of Russia, what was ‘Kolkhoz’?

Answer:
Kolkhoz were collective farms where peasants were forced to cultivate from 1929.

Question 21:
Who started the ‘Collectivization Programme’ in Russia?

Answer:
Stalin.

Question 22:
Who headed the Communist Party of Russia after Lenin’s death?

Answer:
Stalin.

Question 23:
Which incident in Russian history is known as ‘Bloody Sunday’?

Answer:
It was an event in 1905 when over 100 workers were killed, and 300 were wounded by police at the Winter Palace.

Question 24:
What was Lenin’s ‘April Theses’?

Answer:
In 1917, Lenin called for an end to the war, the transfer of land to peasants, and the nationalization of banks. These demands were known as Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.

Question 25:
What was the new name of St. Petersburg?

Answer:
Petrograd.

Question 26:
Name a few countries that were part of the Central Powers during the First World War.

Answer:
Germany, Austria, and Turkey.

Question 27:
Name the term used for the elected consultative parliament in Russia.

Answer:
Duma.

Question 28:
At the beginning of the 20th century, where did the vast majority of Russian people work?

Answer:
In the agricultural sector.

Question 29:
When did the First World War break out?

Answer:
1914.

Question 30:
Why is 22nd February celebrated as International Women’s Day?

Answer:
Because on this day, women workers in Russia led a massive strike in factories.

Question 31:
What were the Muslim reformers within the Russian Empire called?

Answer:
Jadidists.

Question 32:
Where did industrialization bring men, women, and children together?

Answer:
In factories.

Question 33:
Name two Indian nationalists who discussed the significance of the French Revolution.

Answer:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Derozio.

Question 34:
Name a few countries that were part of the Russian Empire in 1914.

Answer:
Finland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Important Questions Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
Describe the views of radicals.
Answer:
The views of radicals are as follows:

• The group that wanted immediate social change in Russia was the radicals.
• They wanted a government for the majority of the country’s population.
• They opposed private property.

Question 2:
Who were liberals? What were their political and social views?
Or
Liberals were not democrats. Explain.
Answer:
Liberals: One of the groups aiming to change society was the liberals.
Political and Social Views of Liberals:

• Liberals wanted a nation that tolerated all religions.
• They opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers and wanted to protect individual rights from the government.
• They argued for a representative, elected parliamentary government, governed by laws interpreted by an independent judiciary.
• They were not ‘democrats’ as they did not believe in universal adult franchise. They believed only men with property should have voting rights.
• They also opposed voting rights for women.

Question 3.
Distinguish between the ideas of liberals and the radicals.
Answer:

Question 4:
Who ruled Russia in 1914? How did he manage his empire? Explain.
Answer:
Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia during the revolution.

• He was an autocratic ruler.
• Though he created the Duma after the revolution, he disregarded its decisions.
• He continued the war despite public opposition.
• He was heavily influenced by a monk named Rasputin.

Question 5:
Explain the views of different socialists and philosophers regarding the vision of the future or to transform society.
Answer:

• Robert Owen: A socialist from England, Owen sought to build a cooperative community called ‘New Harmony’ in Indiana, USA.
• Louis Blanc: From France, Blanc wanted the government to support cooperatives and replace capitalists.
• Karl Marx: Marx believed workers should build a radically socialist society, where all property was socially controlled, to free themselves from capitalist exploitation.
• Friedrich Engels: Like Marx, Engels opposed capitalism.

Question 6:
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: The Bolshevik order for land redistribution led to the desertion of soldiers, who were mostly peasants wanting to return home.
• Opposition from Greens and Whites: Non-Bolshevik socialists, liberals, and autocrats condemned the Bolshevik uprising and fought against them.
• Outside Forces: Greens and Whites were supported by French, American, British, and Japanese troops, concerned about the rise of socialism in Russia.
• Use of Force: The Bolsheviks brutally suppressed local nationalists in the name of defending socialism, leading to confusion about their true goals.

Question 7:
‘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 believed that industrial societies were capitalist societies where capitalists made profits from workers’ labor.
• To increase profits, capitalists either reduced wages or increased working hours.
• Marx argued that workers had to build a radically socialist society where all property was socially controlled to free themselves from capitalist oppression.

Question 8:
Explain the economic condition of the workers before the Russian Revolution.
Answer:

• Most industries were privately owned by industrialists.
• Workers often worked 10 to 12 hours a day for low wages.
• Working conditions were poor.
• Women made up 31% of the workforce but were paid less than men.

Question 9:
Mention four features of socialism.
Answer:

• Socialists were opposed to private property.
• Under socialism, the government controlled the means of production.
• Socialists viewed private property as the root of social ills.
• Socialism encouraged cooperatives.

Question 10:
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 majority of Russians were agriculturists, with 85% of the population involved in farming.
• Industries were concentrated in a few areas like St. Petersburg and Moscow.
• In the 1890s, industrial growth increased, with coal production doubling and iron and steel output quadrupling.
• Peasants cultivated most land, but large properties were owned by the nobility, the crown, and the Orthodox Church.

Question 11:
Explain any three views of the socialists about private property.
Answer:

• Socialists were against private property.
• They saw it as the root cause of social ills.
• Property owners were focused on personal gain, while those who made the property productive were ignored.

Question 12:
Mention any four features of Russian society in the 20th century.
Answer:

• The majority of people were agriculturists, with 85% living off the land.
• Workers were divided; some maintained ties to their villages, while others settled in cities permanently.
• Women made up 31% of the factory workforce but were paid less than men.
• Large properties were owned by the nobility, the crown, and the Orthodox Church, with nobles gaining power through their services to the Tsar.

Question 13:
What were the differences between Russian peasants and other peasants in Europe?
Or
How were the peasants of Russia different from those in the rest of Europe?
Answer:

• In Russia, 85% of the population were agriculturists, a higher proportion than in most European countries.
• Russian peasants wanted the land of nobles, unlike in Europe, where nobles were respected.
• Russian peasants pooled their land and divided it among families, a practice not seen in other parts of Europe.

Question 14:
What were the main demands of Lenin’s ‘April Theses’?
Or
Explain Lenin’s ‘April Theses’.
Or
Describe the three major demands of the Bolsheviks in 1917.
Answer:

• Lenin called for an end to the war, land to be transferred to peasants, and banks to be nationalized.
• He planned an uprising against the government with the support of the army.
• The Bolsheviks aimed to seize power through the Military Revolutionary Committee.

Question 15:
Why did the Kerenskii Government in Russia fall?
Or
Why did the Kerenskii Government become unpopular in Russia?
Answer:

• Lenin returned from exile and gained the support of workers.
• Trade unions and other organizations grew, increasing opposition to the government.
• Constant conflict between the Bolsheviks and the government weakened it.
• The government failed to meet the people’s demands, leading to its downfall.

Question 16:
Describe the events that led to the 1905 Revolution in Russia.
Or
Write a note on the Bloody Sunday incident.
Or
Which incident is known as Bloody Sunday? What were its consequences?
Answer:

• In 1904, rising prices caused real wages to fall by 20%.
• When workers were dismissed from their jobs, they became agitated.
• In January 1905, workers marched to the Winter Palace, where they were attacked by the police. Over 100 were killed, and 300 were wounded. This event became known as ‘Bloody Sunday’.
  Consequences:
• Tsar was forced to announce a manifesto, leading to the formation of the Duma.

Question 17:
What is meant by the ‘October Revolution’?
Answer:

• The October Revolution occurred in 1917, led by the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party under Lenin.
• A Military Revolutionary Committee seized power, and the Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party.
• Though the Bolsheviks failed to win a majority in the Constituent Assembly elections, they took control of the government and made Russia a one-party state.

Question 18:
Explain any three major effects of the Russian Revolution of October 1917 on the Russian economy.
Answer:

• No Private Property: Private property was abolished, and all means of production were nationalized.
• Nationalization of Industries: Workers were given control of industries, and banks, insurance companies, and large industries were nationalized.
• Centralized Planning: Centralized planning was introduced, and Five Year Plans were implemented to control the economy.

Question 19:
How did Russia’s participation in World War I contribute to the fall of the Tsar?
Or
Explain any four reasons why Russian people wanted the Tsar to withdraw from the First World War.
Answer:

• Russia lost more than 7 million soldiers, causing widespread discontent.
• Crops, homes, and industries were destroyed, creating millions of refugees.
• The war devastated Russian industries, dependent on foreign suppliers.
• A shortage of workers due to the war led to further economic hardship.

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Important Questions Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1:
What are the main objectives of Liberals in Russia?
Answer:
The main objectives of liberals in Russia were as follows:

• They envisioned a nation that tolerated all religions.
• They opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers.
• They aimed to safeguard individual rights from government interference.
• They did not support universal adult franchise, as they were not democrats.
• Liberals advocated for a representative government elected by the people, with a well-trained, independent judiciary to interpret laws.
• In areas like Germany, Italy, and Poland, where independent nation-states did not yet exist, men and women combined their demands for constitutionalism with national unification.
• They pushed for the creation of a constitution that ensured freedom of the press and association, taking advantage of the growing unrest.

Question 2.
Explain any five differences between the peasants of Russia and peasants of Europe.
Answer:

Question 3:
How far were the economic and social conditions of Russia responsible for the Russian Revolution? Explain by giving examples.
Or
Describe the circumstances responsible for the Russian Revolution.
Answer:

• Agrarian Economy and Poor Condition of Peasants: At the beginning of the 20th century, over 85% of Russia’s population earned their living from agriculture. Most of the land was owned by the wealthy, and peasants worked long hours for very low wages or shares. Peasants were discontented with the rich and the nobility.
• Poor Condition of Workers: Most industries were owned by private individuals. In craft units and small workshops, working hours could extend up to 15 hours a day. Workers lived and worked in poor conditions and were often underpaid.
• Unemployment: High unemployment rates prevailed, with industrialists exploiting workers.
• High Prices: The prices of essential goods rose quickly, leading to a 20% decline in real wages.
• Condition of Women: Women made up about 31% of the factory workforce. They were paid lower wages and worked long hours. Many were fired by the police when they launched agitations.

Question 4:
Explain the views of the Socialists on private property with special emphasis on Karl Marx.
Answer:

• Marx believed that industrial society was inherently capitalist, where capitalists owned the means of production and profited from workers’ labor.
• As long as profits were accumulated by private capitalists, the conditions of workers would not improve.
• Marx argued that workers had to overthrow capitalism and the system of private property.
• He advocated for the establishment of a radically socialist society where all property was socially controlled.
• Marx believed that a communist society, where workers triumphed over capitalists, was the natural society of the future.

Question 5:
What social changes were seen in society after industrialization?
Or
How did industrialization change the lives of people in Europe? Explain.
Answer:

• Working Class: Industrialization brought men, women, and children into factories. They worked long hours for low wages.
• Problem of Unemployment and Poverty: Unemployment and poverty were rare in the countryside but became common with industrialization, especially during times of low demand for industrial goods.
• Problem of Housing and Sanitation: Large-scale migration to cities led to housing and sanitation problems.
• Trade Unions: Workers in England and Germany formed associations to fight for better working conditions and reduced working hours. These unions helped set up funds to assist members during times of distress and demanded voting rights. In Germany, trade unions worked with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and helped win parliamentary seats.
• Socialism: Trade unions and workers’ associations introduced the idea of socialism, which began to change the political landscape as they demanded a share in political power.

Question 6:
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 to address the shortage of grain supplies.
• The small size of farms was partly blamed for the grain shortage.
• After 1917, land had been distributed to peasants, but small farms couldn’t be modernized.
• To develop large, modern farms with machinery, Stalin eliminated the kulaks (wealthy farmers), seized land from peasants, and established state-controlled collective farms (kolkhoz).
• From 1929, peasants were forced to work on collective farms, and the profits were shared.
• Peasants resisted, destroying their livestock, and between 1929 and 1931, the number of cattle fell by one-third. Many peasants were punished, deported, or exiled.
• Despite collectivization, agricultural production did not increase immediately, and a bad harvest from 1930 to 1933 led to a famine that killed over 4 million people.

Question 7:
Highlight any five changes brought by Lenin in Russia after the October Revolution of 1917.
Answer:

• Conflict with the Provisional Government: By September 1917, the conflict between the provisional government and the Bolsheviks intensified. Lenin began planning an uprising and organizing his supporters.
• Seizure of Power: Lenin, along with Trotsky, planned a military uprising through the Military Revolutionary Committee.
• October Uprising: On 24th October 1917, the uprising began. Despite resistance from Prime Minister Kerensky, the Bolsheviks seized power within a day.
• Control of the City: By the evening, the Bolsheviks had control of Petrograd.
• Bolshevik Approval: At a meeting of the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, the Bolshevik action was approved by the majority, leading to Russia coming under communist control.

Question 8:
Who was Lenin? What was his contribution to the Russian Revolution?
Answer:

• April Theses: Lenin proposed three demands: to end the war, transfer land to peasants, and nationalize banks. These demands were part of his April Theses. He also suggested renaming the Bolshevik Party as the Communist Party to reflect its new radical aims.
• Opposition to the Provisional Government: Lenin opposed the Provisional Government, which was controlled by landlords and industrialists, and brought together Soviets to prepare for the revolution.
• Overthrow of the Provisional Government: Under Lenin’s leadership, the Provisional Government was overthrown by the Soviets on 16th October 1917. Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to agree to a socialist seizure of power.
• Foundation of the Communist State: After the October Revolution, Lenin laid the foundation for a communist state, and the Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party.

Question 9:
Explain the Russian February Revolution of 1917.
Or
Petrograd led the February Revolution that brought down the monarchy in February 1917. Explain.
Answer:

• Grim Conditions in Petrograd: In early 1917, food shortages and a harsh winter led to growing discontent among workers in Petrograd.
• Women Lead the Strike: On 22nd February, a lockout at a factory triggered a strike. The next day, workers in 50 factories went on strike, and women led many of these strikes, marking International Women’s Day.
• Violent Incidents: The government called in the cavalry to control the situation, but they refused to fire on the demonstrators. Some soldiers joined the striking workers, further escalating the unrest.
• Formation of the Soviet: By the evening of the 24th, soldiers and striking workers formed a soviet or council in the same building where the Duma met.
• Formation of the Provisional Government: The next day, Tsar Nicholas II was advised by military commanders to abdicate, which he did on 2nd March. Leaders from the Soviet and the Duma formed a Provisional government to run the country until a constituent assembly could be elected.

Question 10:
Describe the importance of the Battle of Stalingrad in the Second World War.
Answer:

• The Battle of Stalingrad was fought between Russia and Germany during World War II.
• This battle marked a significant defeat for Germany and Adolf Hitler, along with the Nazi Party.
• Hitler had imperial ambitions in the fertile Ukraine Basin and saw Russia as a threat to Nazi Germany.
• He violated the 1939 non-aggression treaty with Russia and launched an invasion.
• The Germans failed to capture Stalingrad due to poor preparation for the harsh Russian weather.
• Hitler’s defeat in this battle led to the collapse of Nazi Germany’s eastern front, and Soviet dominance was established over Eastern Europe.