Chapter 2: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution – Complete Notes
1. The Age of Social Change
• After the French Revolution, ideas of freedom and equality spread in Europe.
• Earlier, society was divided into estates and orders, controlled by aristocracy and the Church.
• These ideas reached Asia too. In India, thinkers like Raja Rammohan Roy and Derozio were inspired
by them.
• People had different views on how to change society:
• Liberals: Wanted a secular nation, opposed absolute rulers, wanted elected government with limited
suffrage (for property-owning men), not for women.
• Radicals: Wanted a government representing the majority including the poor, supported women's
suffrage, opposed concentration of property.
• Conservatives: Wanted slow change with respect for traditions.
2. Industrial Society and Social Change
• Industrial Revolution created new cities and industries.
• Workers (including women and children) had long working hours, low wages, and poor living
conditions.
• Liberals and Radicals looked for reforms to help workers.
• By the 19th century, many workers supported these political groups.
• Giuseppe Mazzini: Italian nationalist who promoted revolutionary ideas.
3. The Coming of Socialism to Europe
• Socialists believed private property caused inequality and problems.
• Wanted collective ownership of property by society.
• Robert Owen: Set up cooperative community in New Harmony (USA).
• Louis Blanc: Wanted government to support cooperatives.
• Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels:
• Saw society as divided between capitalists (owners) and workers.
• Believed capitalism exploited workers.
• Wanted to establish a communist society with social ownership of property.
4. Support for Socialism
• By 1870s, socialism spread across Europe.
• Second International: Formed to coordinate socialist efforts.
• Workers in England and Germany formed associations and trade unions.
• Socialist parties emerged:
• Labour Party in Britain (1905).
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• Socialist Party in France.
• Socialists shaped laws but didn’t form governments till 1914.
5. The Russian Revolution
5.1 The Russian Empire in 1914
• Ruled by Tsar Nicholas II.
• Included modern-day Finland, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and parts of Central Asia.
• Majority religion: Russian Orthodox Christianity; others: Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists.
5.2 Economy and Society
• 85% people were farmers (highest in Europe).
• Produced grain for both use and export.
• Industry mainly in Moscow and St Petersburg.
• Some large factories, many small workshops.
• Industrialists owned factories. Government regulated big ones.
• Workers:
• Long hours (up to 15 hrs), poor housing.
• Divided by skill and background.
• Women formed 31% of workers, paid less.
• Formed associations for support.
• Frequent strikes (textile: 1896-97, metal: 1902).
• Peasants:
• Nobles, Church, and Tsar owned most land.
• Wanted redistribution of land.
• Peasants often refused to pay rent or killed landlords (1902, 1905).
• Unique system: communal land distribution (mir).
5.3 Socialism in Russia
• Political parties were banned before 1914.
• Russian Social Democratic Workers Party (1898): Based on Marxism.
• Socialist Revolutionary Party (1900): Focused on peasants' rights.
• Bolsheviks (Lenin's group): Wanted a small, disciplined party.
• Mensheviks: Wanted open membership.
5.4 1905 Revolution
• Russia was an autocracy.
• 1904: Prices rose, real wages fell.
• 110,000 workers struck at Putilov Iron Works.
• Bloody Sunday: Peaceful protest attacked by police, 100+ killed.
• Triggered strikes, protests, and university shutdowns.
• Union of Unions formed by professionals.
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• Tsar allowed a consultative Duma, but later dissolved it quickly and changed voting laws to keep
control.
5.5 First World War (1914-17)
• Russia joined war with France and Britain against Germany and Austria.
• Initial support, but later discontent grew:
• Huge casualties (7 million).
• Shortages of food and fuel.
• Factories shut down.
• Soldiers deserted.
• Tsarina’s German background and Rasputin were unpopular.
6. February Revolution (1917)
• Capital Petrograd had food shortages and cold weather.
• 22 Feb: Lockout at a factory.
• 23 Feb: Women led strike – International Women’s Day.
• Workers marched across city.
• 25 Feb: Government suspended the Duma.
• 27 Feb: Police HQ attacked. Soldiers joined protests.
• Petrograd Soviet formed.
• Tsar abdicated on 2 March.
• A Provisional Government was set up.
7. April Theses by Lenin
• Lenin returned from exile.
• Demanded:
• End the war
• Land to peasants
• Banks nationalised
• Bolsheviks renamed Communist Party.
8. October Revolution (1917)
• Lenin feared dictatorship from Provisional Govt.
• Planned an uprising with Trotsky.
• 24 Oct: Government tried to stop Bolsheviks.
• Bolsheviks seized key offices, arrested ministers.
• Winter Palace shelled by ship Aurora.
• Petrograd and later Moscow came under Bolshevik control.
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9. What Changed After October?
• Private property abolished.
• Land given to peasants.
• Factories and banks nationalised.
• Large houses divided.
• Aristocratic titles banned.
• New uniforms and Soviet hat introduced.
• Bolsheviks became the only party.
• Cheka (secret police) punished critics.
• Writers/artists supported at first but many left due to censorship.
10. The Civil War (1918-1920)
• Opponents of Bolsheviks (Whites, Greens) rebelled.
• Supported by foreign countries (Britain, France, USA, Japan).
• Civil war caused famine and destruction.
• Bolsheviks (Reds) won by 1920.
• USSR formed in 1922.
• Local autonomy given, but often ignored.
11. Planned Economy
• Five-Year Plans introduced (from 1927).
• Set production targets.
• Industries grew quickly: oil, steel, coal production doubled.
• New cities built.
• Free education, health care, crèches, and workers' housing provided.
• Conditions still harsh for many.
12. Stalin and Collectivisation
• 1927-28: Grain shortage.
• Peasants refused to sell at low govt prices.
• Stalin blamed kulaks (rich peasants).
• Enforced grain seizure.
• Farms were collectivised (Kolkhoz).
• Land and tools owned by collective.
• Peasants resisted, killed livestock.
• Millions deported or punished.
• 1930-33 famine: Over 4 million died.
• Production did not improve immediately.
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13. Global Influence of Russian Revolution
• Inspired socialist movements worldwide.
• Comintern formed to promote global revolution.
• Communist parties formed in many countries including India.
• Indian leaders like Nehru and Tagore visited USSR.
• By 1950s, USSR seen as powerful but repressive.
• Despite problems, socialism remained respected.
Important Dates
• 1898: Russian Social Democratic Workers Party formed
• 1905: Bloody Sunday, 1905 Revolution
• March 1917: February Revolution
• October 1917: Bolshevik takeover
• 1918-20: Civil War
• 1922: USSR formed
• 1929: Collectivisation begins
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