NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
→ Socially, Russia was dominated by nobles, the Orthodox Church, and the Tsar’s autocracy. Peasants (85% population) lived in poverty and wanted land reforms. Economically, Russia was primarily agricultural, though industries existed in pockets like St Petersburg and Moscow. Working conditions in factories were poor, wages low, and working hours long. Politically, Tsar Nicholas II ruled as an autocrat, ignoring the Duma and suppressing political parties. There was widespread discontent among workers, peasants, and minorities.
Q2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
→ Russian workers were divided by skill (metal workers considered elite), had ties with villages, and women formed 31% of the workforce but earned less than men. Unlike Western Europe, political parties and trade unions were illegal, though strikes occurred often. Peasants in Russia pooled land through communes (mir), unlike Western Europe. Thus, Russian workers and peasants were distinct in organisation and demands.
Q3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
→ The Tsar’s refusal to share power, defeats in WWI, economic crisis, food shortages, strikes, and mutinies led to collapse. The February 1917 Revolution began with worker strikes in Petrograd, soon joined by soldiers. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on 2 March 1917, ending centuries of autocracy.
Q4. Make two lists: main events and effects of the February and October Revolutions.
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February Revolution: Worker strikes, women’s protests, mutiny of soldiers, abdication of Tsar, Provisional Government formed. Effect: End of monarchy, establishment of dual power (Provisional Govt + Soviets).
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October Revolution: Bolsheviks under Lenin and Trotsky seized Winter Palace, overthrew Provisional Govt. Effect: Soviet rule, land to peasants, industries nationalised, Russia became first socialist state.
Q5. Main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution.
→ Nationalisation of industries and banks, abolition of private property, land redistribution to peasants, censorship, establishment of one-party rule, and peace with Germany (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
Q6. Short notes:
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Kulaks: Wealthy peasants targeted by Stalin during collectivisation.
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Duma: Russian parliament created after 1905, but controlled by Tsar.
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Women workers (1900–1930): Formed a large part of workforce, led strikes like in February Revolution, but faced wage discrimination.
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Liberals: Wanted elected government, civil rights, but restricted voting rights to property-owning men.
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Stalin’s Collectivisation: Policy forcing peasants into collective farms; resisted violently, caused famine, but aimed to modernise agriculture.
Extras – Long Answer Questions
Q1. Discuss the role of Lenin and the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Lenin and the Bolsheviks played a decisive role in the Russian Revolution. Lenin opposed WWI and demanded “Peace, Land, and Bread”. His April Theses in 1917 called for withdrawal from war, transfer of land to peasants, and nationalisation of banks. The Bolsheviks organised soviets in factories and the army, spreading socialist ideas. Trotsky led the Military Revolutionary Committee, which organised the October uprising. On 24 October 1917, Bolsheviks captured key government offices and the Winter Palace. They redistributed land, nationalised industries, and withdrew from WWI through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The Bolsheviks transformed Russia into the world’s first socialist state. Their leadership and discipline made them the most influential political force in 1917.
Q2. Explain the causes and significance of the 1905 Revolution in Russia.
The 1905 Revolution was triggered by economic hardship, poor working conditions, and political repression. Rising prices reduced real wages by 20%, leading to mass strikes. On 22 January 1905, thousands marched to the Winter Palace led by Father Gapon, demanding better wages and an elected assembly. Troops fired, killing over 100 workers—this event became known as Bloody Sunday. Strikes, peasant revolts, and student protests spread across Russia. The Tsar was forced to create the Duma, though it had limited powers. The revolution showed the growing power of workers and peasants, and the weakness of autocracy. It set the stage for 1917.
Q3. Analyse Stalin’s collectivisation policy.
By 1927, grain shortages in Soviet Russia led Stalin to enforce collectivisation. Private farms were abolished and peasants were forced into collective farms (kolkhoz). Land, livestock, and tools were taken over by the state. The kulaks, or wealthy peasants, resisted and were deported or executed. Many peasants slaughtered cattle and destroyed crops rather than surrender them. Between 1929–1933, production declined, leading to famine that killed over 4 million. While collectivisation aimed at modernising agriculture and ensuring grain supply for industries, it caused immense human suffering. It symbolised Stalin’s authoritarian style of governance, prioritising state control over individual welfare.
Q4. How did the First World War create conditions for the Russian Revolution?
WWI had devastating effects on Russia. Over 7 million soldiers were killed or wounded. Food and fuel shortages worsened due to disrupted transport. Industries collapsed as raw materials ran out, and bread riots became common by 1916. The Tsar’s mismanagement, corruption, and refusal to consult the Duma discredited his rule. Soldiers mutinied, and strikes spread. The February Revolution of 1917 began in Petrograd during food shortages and snow, when workers and women protested. The army joined them, forcing the Tsar’s abdication. Thus, WWI acted as the immediate trigger that exposed the weakness of Tsarist autocracy and created revolutionary conditions.
Q5. What was the global influence of the Russian Revolution and the USSR?
The Russian Revolution inspired workers and peasants worldwide. It showed that an alternative to capitalism was possible. Communist parties were formed in Europe and Asia, including India, where leaders like M.N. Roy and Jawaharlal Nehru admired Soviet socialism. The Bolsheviks founded the Comintern to unite socialist movements. USSR’s policies of equality, land redistribution, and planned economy impressed many, though its authoritarianism drew criticism. Writers like Tagore and Shaukat Usmani described Soviet Russia as a land of equality and education. By the mid-20th century, the USSR became a global power, shaping world politics and inspiring anti-colonial struggles.
MCQs
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Who wrote The Communist Manifesto?
(a) Lenin and Stalin
(b) Marx and Engels
(c) Rousseau and Montesquieu
(d) Robespierre and Danton
Answer: (b) -
Which party was formed in Russia in 1898?
(a) Socialist Revolutionary Party
(b) Bolshevik Party
(c) Russian Social Democratic Workers Party
(d) Mensheviks
Answer: (c) -
The event of 22 January 1905 is known as:
(a) Red Sunday
(b) Bloody Sunday
(c) Labour Sunday
(d) People’s March
Answer: (b) -
Soviets were:
(a) Peasant communes
(b) Workers’ and soldiers’ councils
(c) Secret police
(d) Parliament of Russia
Answer: (b) -
Lenin’s April Theses demanded:
(a) More wages
(b) Peace, Land, and Bread
(c) Collectivisation
(d) End of Duma
Answer: (b) -
Who led the Bolsheviks?
(a) Trotsky
(b) Stalin
(c) Lenin
(d) Kerensky
Answer: (c) -
The October Revolution took place in:
(a) 1914
(b) 1917
(c) 1919
(d) 1922
Answer: (b) -
Which treaty ended Russia’s involvement in WWI?
(a) Treaty of Versailles
(b) Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
(c) Treaty of Moscow
(d) Treaty of Berlin
Answer: (b) -
The secret police under Lenin was called:
(a) Cheka
(b) KGB
(c) NKVD
(d) Gestapo
Answer: (a) -
The elected parliament created after 1905 was:
(a) Soviet
(b) Duma
(c) Diet
(d) Reichstag
Answer: (b) -
The Bolshevik Party was later renamed as:
(a) Communist Party of Russia
(b) Soviet Socialist Party
(c) Marxist Party
(d) People’s Party
Answer: (a) -
Stalin’s collective farms were called:
(a) Kolkhoz
(b) Sovkhoz
(c) Mir
(d) Commune
Answer: (a) -
Who among the following was NOT a socialist thinker?
(a) Karl Marx
(b) Friedrich Engels
(c) Louis Blanc
(d) Adam Smith
Answer: (d) -
Tsar Nicholas II ruled until:
(a) 1914
(b) 1917
(c) 1922
(d) 1930
Answer: (b) -
Which leader organised the Red Army?
(a) Stalin
(b) Lenin
(c) Trotsky
(d) Kerensky
Answer: (c) -
The USSR was formed in:
(a) 1922
(b) 1917
(c) 1919
(d) 1930
Answer: (a) -
Which group supported peasants’ rights in Russia?
(a) Mensheviks
(b) Socialist Revolutionaries
(c) Bolsheviks
(d) Liberals
Answer: (b) -
The capital Petrograd was earlier called:
(a) Moscow
(b) Leningrad
(c) St Petersburg
(d) Volgograd
Answer: (c) -
The Comintern was founded to:
(a) Spread communism internationally
(b) Train Red Army
(c) Control peasants
(d) Promote trade unions
Answer: (a) -
Who introduced collectivisation in USSR?
(a) Lenin
(b) Trotsky
(c) Stalin
(d) Gorbachev
Answer: (c)
Fill in the Blanks
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The Russian Revolution of 1917 occurred in two stages – February and October.
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The Tsar of Russia in 1914 was Nicholas II.
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The Socialist Revolutionary Party worked mainly for peasants’ rights.
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Lenin’s three slogans were Peace, Land, and Bread.
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The Bolshevik Party later became the Communist Party of Russia.
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The Russian secret police was called Cheka.
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Stalin forced peasants into collective farms known as Kolkhoz.
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The 1905 protest where workers were fired upon is called Bloody Sunday.
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Russia withdrew from WWI by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
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The USSR was formed in 1922.