Chapter-2 History
Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
THE AGE OF SOCIAL CHANGE: The French Revolution opened up the possibility of creating a
dramatic change in the way in which society was structured. Not everyone in Europe, however,
wanted a complete transformation. Some were 'conservatives, while others were "liberals' or
'radicals.
Liberals: Wanted a nation which tolerated all religions. They argued for an elected
parliamentary government, subject to laws interpreted by a well-trained judiciary that was
independent of rulers and officials. They were not democrats.
Radicals: Wanted a nation in which government was based on the majority of a country's
population. They disliked concentration of property in hands of a few, not the existence of private
property.
Conservavattves: They resisted change. After the revolution they started accepting change
providec was slow and had links and respected the past.
Industrles and Soclal Change: This was the time of economic and social change. Men, women
and children were pushed into factories for low wages, Liberals and radicals who were factory
owners felt that workers' efforts must be encouraged.
Soclallsm in Europe: Socialists were against private property. They had different visions of the
future. Some believed in cooperatives, some demanded that governments must encourage
cooperatives.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels added that industrial society was capitalist. Marx believed that a
socialist society would free the workers from capitalism. This would bea communist society.
Socialism Glven Support: Workers in Germany and England began forming associations to fight
for better living conditions. They set up funds for members in distress, reduction of working
hours and right to vote.
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: In 1914, Nicholas II ruled the Russian empire.
Economy and Society: Most of the Russian population were agriculturalist. Industries were
being set up which was mostly private property of industrialists. Workers were divided into
groups but they did unite to strike work when they were dissatisfied. Peasants had no respect for
nobility, very unlike the French peasant. Russian peasants were the only peasant community
which pooled their land and their commune divided it.
Soclallsm in Russia: All political parties were illegal in Russia before 1914.
The Russian Socialist Democratic Labor Party was formed in 1900. It struggled to give peasants
their rights over land that belonged to nobles. As land was divided among peasants periodically
and it was felt that peasants and not workers would be the main source of the revolution. But
Lenin did not agree with this as he felt that peasants were not one social group. The party was
Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.
The 1905 Revolution: Russia was an autocracy. The Tsar was not subject to the parliament.
Liberals wanted to end this state of affairs. They worked towards demanding a constitution
during the Revolution of 1905.
Bloody Sunday: Prices of essentialgoods rose so quickiy by 1904 that the real wages declined by
20% During this time, four members of the Putilov Iron Works were dismissed. Action was
called for. Over 110,000 workers in St. Petersburg went on strike demanding a reduction in
working hours and increase in wages. This procession was attacked by the police and Cossacks.
Over 100 workers were killed. Strikes took place as a reaction. People demanded a constituent
assembly.
The Tsar allowed the creation of an elected consultative Parliament or Duma. The Tsar dismissed
the first Duma within 75 days and announced the election of a second Duma.
The First World War and the Russian Empire: In Russia, the war was initially very popular but
the
German support grew thin. Anti-German sentiments ran high. Russian armies lost badly in
3
The war also affected the industry. There v e lahour shortage milione ore shut
Snut down and
small workshops were closed down. There was shortage of grain and hence of bread.
THE FEBRUARY REVOLUTION IN PETROGRAD
Events
In the winter of 1917, Petrograd was grim. There was food shortage in the workers
quarters.
" 22 February: a lockout took place at a factory. Workers of 50 other factories joined in
sympathy. Women also led and participated in the strikes. This came to be called the
International Women's Day:
The government imposed a curfew as the quarters of the fashionable area and official
buildings were surrOunded by workers.
On the 24th and 25th, the government called out the cavalry and police to keep an eye on
them.
On 25th February, the government suspended the Duma and politicians spoke against this
measure. The people were out with force once again.
On 27th, the police headquarters were ransacked.
Cavalry was called out again.
An officer was shot at the barracks of a regiment and other regiments mutinied, voting to
join the striking workers gathered to form a soviet or council. This was the Petrograd
Soviet.
Adelegation went to meet the Tsar, military commanders advised him to abdicate.
The Tsar abdicated on 2nd March
AProvincial Government was formed by the Soviet and Duma leaders to run the country.
The people involved were the parliamentarians, workers, women workers, soldiers and
military commanders.
Effects
" Restrictions on public meetings and associations were removed.
Soviets were set up everywhere.
In individual areas factory committees were formed which began questioning the way
industrialists ran their factories.
Soldiers' committees were formed in the army.
The provisional government saw its power declining and Bolshevik influence grow. It
decided to take stern measures against the spreading discontent.
It resisted attempts by workers to run factories and arrested leaders.
Peasants and the socialist revolutionary leaders pressed for a redistribution of land. Land
committees were formed and peasants seized land between July and September 1917.
OCTOBER REVOLUTION:
16t h October
to a soialist
- Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and Bolshevik Party to agree
of power.AMilitary Revolutionary Committee was appointed by the
Soviet to or
. Uprising began on 24th October. Prime Minister Kerenskii left the city to summon troops.
Malgan
mtary men loyal Itoto the
the government seized the buildings of two Bolshevik newspapers.
offices and
Drotect the Wintr Datee 0 take over telephone and telegraph
In response
arrest Military Revolutionary Committee ordered to selze government offices and
the ministers
The 'Aurora' ship shelled the Winter Palace. Other ships took over strategic points.
sndmiinte
By night the city had been taken over and
Conee of Soiote ir ministers had surrendered.
AlI Russian C
Petrograd approved the Bolshevik action.
.Heavy fighting in
yngnting in Moscow by December, the Bolsheviks controlled the Moscow
Petros
The people involved were Lenin, the Balsheviks, troops (pro-government).
Effects
" Most industry and banks were nationalised in November 1917.
" Land was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of the
nobility.
Use of old titles was banned.
New uniforms were designed for the army and officials.
Russia became a one narty state
Trade unions werekept under party control.
of centralicd.
" A process P a n n i n g Was introduced. This led to economic growth
. l d t t tProuuetuon increased.
. An extended schooling system developed.
Colletivisation of! arted.
The Clvil War- When the
the Bolsheviks ordered land redistribution, the Russian army began to
break up. Non-Boshevik upported by EruPporters of autocracy condemned the
Bolshevik uprising. Thev wore nn French
lehot
ican, British and Japanese troops. All
these fought a war with the Bolst
Making a Soctallst Soclety The Bolsheviks kept industries and banks nationalised during the
civil war. A process of centralised planning was introduced. Rapid construction and
industrialisation started. An extended schooling system developed.
Stalln and Collecttve Farming- Stalin believed that rich peasants and traders stocked supplies
to create shortage of grains. Hence, collectivisation was the need of the hour. This system would
also help to modernise farms. Those farmers who resisted collectivisation were punished,
deported or exiled,
GLOBAL INFLUENCE: By the 1950s, it was recognised in the country and outside that everything
was not in keeping with the ideals of the Russian revolution. Though its industries and
agriculture had developed and the poor were being fed, the essential freedom to its citizens was
being denied. However, it was recognised that social ideals still enjoyed respect among the
Russians. But in each country the ideas of socialism were rethought in a variety of different ways.
