🟥 The Russian Revolution – Class 9
NCERT Notes (1000 words)
🔹Background: Europe Before the Russian Revolution
In the 19th century, different political ideologies were emerging in Europe:
Liberals: Wanted constitutional monarchy and civil liberties.
Radicals: Wanted broader voting rights and opposed privileges based on birth.
Conservatives: Favored monarchy but accepted gradual change.
After the French Revolution (1789), liberalism and nationalism spread across Europe.
However, many of these ideas faced resistance from monarchs and conservatives.
🔹The Rise of Socialism
What is Socialism?
Socialism is a political and economic ideology where the means of production (land,
factories, etc.) are owned and controlled by society or the government.
The goal is to reduce inequality and ensure everyone has access to basic needs.
Early Socialists
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were important socialist thinkers.
In their book "The Communist Manifesto" (1848), they argued:
o The working class (proletariat) should overthrow capitalism.
o A classless society should be established.
Socialism spread across Europe, and socialist parties were formed, such as the Social
Democratic Party in Germany.
🔹Russia Before the Revolution
Tsarist Autocracy
Russia was ruled by the Tsar (Emperor) — Nicholas II at the time of the revolution.
Russia was an autocracy: the Tsar had absolute powers, and there was no elected
parliament initially.
Political parties were banned, and dissent was crushed.
Society and Economy
Russia was largely agricultural; 85% of the population were peasants.
Industrialization had begun late in Russia (after 1890s), and factory workers worked
in terrible conditions.
Workers and peasants had no political rights.
🔹1905 Revolution – The First Spark
Causes:
Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) angered the people.
Poor working conditions and lack of rights.
Bloody Sunday (Jan 22, 1905):
Peaceful protesters led by Father Gapon marched to the Winter Palace in St.
Petersburg to submit a petition.
The Tsar’s guards fired on them, killing hundreds — called Bloody Sunday.
Aftermath:
Mass strikes and peasant uprisings spread.
Tsar Nicholas II was forced to allow a parliament called the Duma, but he later
dismissed it.
🔹World War I and Its Impact on Russia (1914–1917)
Russia joined World War I in 1914, siding with Britain and France.
The war was disastrous:
o Heavy losses of soldiers.
o Food and fuel shortages.
o Economic collapse.
Soldiers deserted, and people began to demand an end to the war and Tsarist rule.
🔹The February Revolution (1917)
Events:
In Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), workers began protesting against food shortages.
Strikes and protests turned into a mass movement.
Soldiers joined the protesters instead of suppressing them.
Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate the throne in March 1917.
Outcome:
A Provisional Government was formed, mainly led by middle-class leaders.
But another powerful group emerged — the Soviets (councils of workers and
soldiers), especially the Petrograd Soviet.
This created a situation of dual power: Provisional Government vs. Soviets.
🔹The Role of Lenin and the Bolsheviks
Who were the Bolsheviks?
A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party led by Vladimir Lenin.
Wanted a socialist revolution led by the working class and supported by peasants.
Opposed the Provisional Government.
Lenin's Demands – "April Theses" (1917):
1. End the war.
2. Transfer land to peasants.
3. Give power to the Soviets.
4. Nationalize banks and industries.
🔹The October Revolution (1917)
The Provisional Government failed to withdraw from the war or improve the
economy.
Lenin and the Bolsheviks gained popularity.
On 25 October 1917 (Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks seized power:
o Armed factory workers (Red Guards) and soldiers captured key government
buildings.
o The Provisional Government collapsed.
Outcome:
Bolsheviks formed a new government under Lenin.
Russia became a one-party socialist state.
🔹After the October Revolution
Immediate Changes:
Land was redistributed to peasants.
Banks and industries were nationalized.
Russia withdrew from World War I in 1918 through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
with Germany.
🔹Civil War in Russia (1918–1920)
Who Fought?
Reds: Bolsheviks (Communists).
Whites: Tsarist supporters, liberals, and anti-Bolsheviks (supported by foreign
powers like Britain, France, USA).
Result:
After a brutal civil war, the Reds (Bolsheviks) won.
The country was in ruins, with millions dead from war, famine, and disease.
🔹Formation of the USSR (1922)
In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed.
It was a federation of several Soviet republics.
🔹Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) – 1921
To revive the economy, Lenin introduced the NEP:
o Allowed small private businesses.
o Peasants could sell surplus produce in markets.
It was a temporary compromise with capitalism.
🔹Stalin Takes Over (After Lenin's Death in 1924)
Joseph Stalin:
Became the leader of the Communist Party after Lenin.
Introduced Five-Year Plans:
o Focused on rapid industrialization.
o Agriculture was collectivized (peasants forced to join collective farms).
Critics and opponents were arrested or executed during the Great Purge.
🔹Impact of the Russian Revolution
In Russia:
End of monarchy and feudalism.
Establishment of the first communist state.
Introduction of planned economy.
Globally:
Inspired socialist movements worldwide.
Fear of communism grew in capitalist countries (e.g., USA).
🔹Important Terms
Term Meaning
Tsar Emperor of Russia
Duma Russian Parliament
Soviets Councils of workers and soldiers
Bolsheviks Radical socialist party led by Lenin
Mensheviks Moderate socialist group
Proletariat Industrial working class
Autocracy Rule by one person with absolute power
🔹Key Personalities
Tsar Nicholas II: Last emperor of Russia.
Vladimir Lenin: Leader of the Bolsheviks, led the October Revolution.
Joseph Stalin: Succeeded Lenin, known for totalitarian rule and Five-Year Plans.
Karl Marx: Philosopher and economist who developed communist ideology.
🔹Timeline of Key Events
Year Event
1905 Bloody Sunday and first Russian Revolution
1914 Russia enters World War I
1917 (Feb) Tsar abdicates; Provisional Government formed
1917 (Oct) Bolsheviks take power
1918-20 Civil War in Russia
1922 Formation of USSR
1924 Lenin dies; Stalin rises to power
🔚 Conclusion
The Russian Revolution was one of the most significant events of the 20th century. It ended
centuries of monarchy, introduced socialism, and inspired movements around the world.
However, it also led to authoritarianism under Stalin. The revolution changed not only Russia
but had a global impact on politics, economy, and ideology.
