History – The Russian Revolution (Chapter 2)

Very Short Answer Questions (2 Marks – 2 points each)

Q1. What was the basic idea of socialism?
- Wealth should be distributed equally among all.
- Private property should be minimized or abolished for collective welfare.
Q2. What was the Second International?
- An organization formed in 1889 by socialist parties and trade unions.
- It aimed to coordinate socialist activities worldwide.
Q3. What are Kulaks? Why did the Stalin government want to eliminate them?
- Kulaks were rich peasants in Russia.
- Stalin wanted to eliminate them as they opposed collectivization and exploited poorer peasants.

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks – 3 points each)

Q1. Who were liberals? What were their political and social views?
- Liberals wanted a democratic government based on individual rights.
- They supported freedom of speech and equality before law.
- They sought reforms but not full social equality.
Q2. Mention three features of socialism.
- Collective ownership of means of production.
- Equality in income and opportunities.
- Central planning for development.
Q3. How were the peasants of Russia different from the rest of Europe?
- Russian peasants often pooled resources and worked collectively.
- They had deep religious faith and were more rebellious.
- They demanded land redistribution and often refused to pay rent.
Q4. Distinguish between socialism and capitalism.
- Capitalism encouraged private property and profit, creating inequality.
- Socialism emphasized collective ownership or state control of resources.
- Socialism aimed to ensure equality and welfare of all.
Q5. Describe the events that led to the 1905 Revolution in Russia.
- Workers suffered from poor wages and long working hours.
- Peasants demanded land reforms.
- Defeat in the Russo–Japanese War and Bloody Sunday massacre fueled anger.
Q6. The First World War is considered a major factor responsible for the Russian Revolution
of 1917. Justify.
- The war caused severe food shortages and economic crisis.
- Heavy military losses and inflation increased anger.
- The Tsar’s government failed to solve these problems, sparking revolution.
Q7. Who was Lenin?
- Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party.
- He played a key role in the 1917 Russian Revolution.
- He established a socialist government in Russia.
Q8. What were the April Theses?
- Lenin’s 1917 directives calling for immediate end of war.
- Transfer of land to peasants and nationalization of banks.
- Slogan: 'All power to the Soviets.'
Q9. Why did Kerensky’s government become unpopular in Russia?
- Kerensky continued Russia’s involvement in WWI.
- He failed to address food shortages and land reforms.
- He suppressed protests, making his rule unpopular.
Q10. Describe three events leading to the February Revolution of 1917 in Russia.
- Food scarcity and long bread queues in Petrograd.
- Strikes by workers demanding better wages.
- Mutiny of soldiers who refused to fire on protesters.
Q11. What were the major changes introduced in industries by Stalin?
- Introduced Five Year Plans with production targets.
- Focused on heavy industries like coal, steel, oil.
- Brought industries under state control.
Q12. What was the Duma? How was it successful?
- The Duma was an elected parliament formed after 1905 Revolution.
- It was meant to represent people’s voices in government.
- It was not successful as Tsar dissolved it whenever it opposed him.

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks – 5 points each)

Q1. Explain the collectivization policy of Stalin.
- Stalin introduced collectivization in 1929 to merge small farms into collective farms.
- Peasants had to give up land, cattle, and equipment to kolkhozes.
- Aim was to increase grain production and state supply.
- Kulaks resisted; many were deported or killed.
- It created hardship but strengthened state control over agriculture.
Q2. Explain the impacts of the Russian Revolution on Russia and the world.
- In Russia: monarchy ended and socialist government established.
- Land redistributed to peasants.
- Industries and banks nationalized.
- Worldwide: inspired socialist movements and communist parties.
- Created fear among capitalist nations.
Q3. Describe the changes which followed the October Revolution in Russia.
- Bolsheviks took power in 1917.
- Private property was abolished.
- Land was redistributed among peasants.
- Banks and industries were nationalized.
- Russia withdrew from WWI (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
Q4. Describe the main events which led to the February Revolution in Petrograd.
- Severe food shortages in Petrograd.
- Workers’ strikes demanding better wages.
- Women’s protest on International Women’s Day.
- Mutiny of soldiers refusing orders to fire on protesters.
- Tsar’s inability to manage the crisis led to abdication.
Q5. Explain the views of socialists on private property with special emphasis on Karl Marx.
- Socialists opposed private property as it created inequality.
- They favored collective or state ownership of resources.
- Karl Marx argued workers should overthrow capitalists.
- He believed in a classless society run by workers.
- His ideas inspired socialist and communist movements globally.
Q6. Analyze the after-effects of the February Revolution of 1917.
- Tsar Nicholas II abdicated and monarchy ended.
- A Provisional Government was established.
- Soviets gained more influence.
- Political freedom increased temporarily.
- Failed to solve key issues, leading to October Revolution.
Q7. Analyze the after-effects of the October Revolution.
- Bolsheviks came to power under Lenin.
- Private property and feudal estates abolished.
- Industries and banks nationalized.
- Russia withdrew from WWI (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
- Civil war broke out between Bolsheviks and opponents.
Q8. Explain the process of centralized planning in Russia.
- Centralized planning introduced through Five Year Plans.
- The state set production targets and resource allocation.
- Emphasis on heavy industries and infrastructure.
- Controlled all aspects of industrial production.
- Aimed to rapidly modernize Russia’s economy.
Q9. State the steps taken to improve the condition of factory workers.
- Working hours were reduced.
- Better wages introduced for workers.
- Health and safety measures improved.
- Workers’ committees gained more rights.
- Unemployment benefits and welfare provided.