Socialism in Europe and Russian Revolution Question Paper

📋 80-MARK QUESTION PAPER

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

⏱️ Time: 3 Hours

📊 Total Marks: 80

📝 Subject: History

Instructions:

• This question paper has 4 sections (A, B, C, D)
• Answer all questions
• Read each question carefully before answering
• All questions are compulsory

SECTION A: Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)

Question 1-10: Answer in 1-2 sentences. Total: 10 Marks

Q1

Who was the Tsar of Russia in 1914?

Marks: 1

Q2

Define the term "Kulaks".

Marks: 1

Q3

What was the primary demand of Liberals in 19th century Europe?

Marks: 1

Q4

Name the ship that shelled the Winter Palace during the October Revolution.

Marks: 1

Q5

What was "Bloody Sunday" and when did it occur?

Marks: 1

Q6

Who led the October Revolution and what was his main slogan?

Marks: 1

Q7

What was the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party?

Marks: 1

Q8

Name one socialist thinker and his main idea.

Marks: 1

Q9

What percentage of Russia's population were farmers in 1914?

Marks: 1

Q10

What does the term "soviet" mean?

Marks: 1

SECTION B: Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Question 11-16: Answer in 3-4 sentences. Total: 18 Marks

Q11

Explain the difference between Liberals and Radicals in 19th century Europe.

Marks: 3

Q12

What were the main problems faced by workers in early 20th century Russia?

Marks: 3

Q13

Describe the events of Bloody Sunday (January 1905) and its consequences.

Marks: 3

Q14

What was Karl Marx's argument about capitalism and private property?

Marks: 3

Q15

How did the First World War contribute to the fall of the Tsar?

Marks: 3

Q16

Explain why the cavalry refused to fire on demonstrators on February 27, 1917.

Marks: 3

SECTION C: Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Question 17-20: Answer in 150-200 words. Total: 20 Marks

Q17

Compare and contrast the February Revolution and the October Revolution. What were their differences in terms of leadership, organization, and outcomes?

Marks: 5

Q18

Explain how Socialism emerged as a response to the problems created by the Industrial Revolution. Give examples of different socialist ideas.

Marks: 5

Q19

What were Stalin's Five-Year Plans and Collectivization? What were the consequences of these policies?

Marks: 5

Q20

Analyze the role of women in the Russian Revolution. How did they contribute to the February and October Revolutions?

Marks: 5

SECTION D: Very Long Answer Questions (8 Marks Each)

Question 21-22: Answer in 250-300 words. Total: 16 Marks

Q21

Explain why socialism became one of the most powerful ideas of the 20th century. Discuss how the Russian Revolution transformed socialist ideas into reality and what happened when it was implemented.

Marks: 8

Q22

Discuss the economic and social conditions in Russia before 1917 that made revolution possible. Why was Russia unlike other European countries, and how did this affect the nature of the revolution?

Marks: 8

TOTAL MARKS: 80

📚 ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS

This answer key provides not just the correct answers, but detailed explanations to help you understand the concepts better.

SECTION A: Answers (1 Mark Each)

Q1: Who was the Tsar of Russia in 1914?

Tsar Nicholas II

💡 Explanation:

Nicholas II ruled the Russian Empire from 1894 to 1917. He was an absolute autocrat, meaning he had complete power over Russia. Unlike other European monarchs, he was not subject to a parliament. This unlimited power made him unpopular, especially when things went wrong (like World War I losses). Eventually, his refusal to share power with the people led to the February Revolution in 1917 and his abdication.

Q2: Define the term "Kulaks".

Kulaks were well-to-do (wealthy) peasants in Russia. Stalin called them "rich peasants" and blamed them for hoarding grain.

💡 Explanation:

The term "kulak" was used during Stalin's collectivization period (1928-1933). Stalin claimed that kulaks were deliberately holding back grain supplies to raise prices and profit from people's hunger. To solve the grain shortage, he targeted kulaks for "elimination"—confiscating their land, exiling them, or executing them. In reality, many so-called kulaks were just medium-sized peasant farmers who weren't actually wealthy. This policy was devastating and led to a massive famine that killed over 4 million people.

Q3: What was the primary demand of Liberals in 19th century Europe?

Liberals demanded: (1) Religious tolerance, (2) Representative elected parliament, (3) Individual freedoms and rights, (4) Independent judiciary

💡 Explanation:

Liberals believed in gradual change. They wanted to limit the power of monarchs by creating elected parliaments and protecting individual rights. However, they were NOT democrats—they didn't believe in universal adult franchise (voting rights for everyone). They thought only men of property should vote, and they opposed voting rights for women. This made them different from Radicals, who wanted universal suffrage and more radical social changes.

Q4: Name the ship that shelled the Winter Palace during the October Revolution.

The Aurora

💡 Explanation:

The Aurora was a Russian military ship stationed on the River Neva in Petrograd. On October 24, 1917, when the Bolsheviks planned to seize power, the Aurora fired shots at the Winter Palace (where the government ministers were hiding). This signal marked the beginning of the uprising. Though the shelling wasn't destructive, it was symbolically important—it marked the Bolsheviks' commitment to taking power by force if necessary. The ship later became a symbol of the October Revolution.

Q5: What was "Bloody Sunday" and when did it occur?

Bloody Sunday was January 22, 1905, when police and soldiers attacked a peaceful march of workers in St. Petersburg, killing over 100 and wounding 300. It sparked the 1905 Revolution.

💡 Explanation:

Over 110,000 workers in St. Petersburg went on strike in January 1905 demanding better wages, shorter work hours, and better conditions. A priest named Father Gapon led a peaceful procession to the Winter Palace to present a petition to the Tsar. When the workers reached the palace, the government ordered cavalry and police to attack. The massacre shocked all of Russia. This event led to the 1905 Revolution where strikes spread across the country and even the educated middle class demanded change. Although the Tsar created a parliament (Duma), he quickly shut it down, showing he refused to share real power.

Q6: Who led the October Revolution and what was his main slogan?

Vladimir Lenin led the October Revolution. His slogan was "Peace, Land, and Bread."

💡 Explanation:

Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) was the leader of the Bolsheviks (communist faction of the socialist party). His slogan "Peace, Land, and Bread" captured what ordinary Russians wanted: (1) Peace—end the disastrous World War I, (2) Land—give peasants the land of nobles, (3) Bread—solve the food shortage. When he returned to Russia in April 1917, he declared his "April Theses" with these three demands. The Provisional Government couldn't deliver on these promises, so support shifted to Lenin. By October 1917, the Bolsheviks seized power in a swift, violent uprising.

Q7: What was the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party?

A socialist political party founded in 1898 in Russia that followed Marxist ideas. It operated illegally under Tsarist rule.

💡 Explanation:

The Russian Social Democratic Workers Party was founded in 1898 by socialists who respected Karl Marx's ideas. Since all political parties were illegal in Tsarist Russia, the party operated secretly. It established newspapers, organized workers, and coordinated strikes. The party split into two groups: Bolsheviks (led by Lenin, who wanted a disciplined party) and Mensheviks (who wanted a more open party like in Germany). This split was crucial—Lenin's Bolsheviks eventually took over the revolution while the Mensheviks were sidelined.

Q8: Name one socialist thinker and his main idea.

Any of the following: • Robert Owen: Believed in cooperative communities where workers owned factories together • Louis Blanc: Believed government should create cooperatives • Karl Marx: Believed workers must overthrow capitalism and create a communist society

💡 Explanation:

Different socialists had different ideas about how to achieve a fairer society. Robert Owen (1771-1858) was an English manufacturer who tried to build the "New Harmony" community in Indiana based on cooperative principles. Louis Blanc (1813-1882) believed the government should actively create cooperatives to replace capitalist enterprises. Karl Marx (1818-1883) went further, arguing that capitalism had built-in problems that would inevitably lead to workers' revolution and a communist society. Marx's ideas were the most influential and became the basis for communist movements worldwide.

Q9: What percentage of Russia's population were farmers in 1914?

Approximately 85% of Russia's population earned their living from agriculture.

💡 Explanation:

This is a KEY difference between Russia and Western Europe. In France and Germany, only 40-50% of people farmed. Russia was much less industrialized and more agricultural. This mattered because: (1) Most Russians were peasants, not factory workers, (2) Peasants' main complaint was lack of land ownership, (3) This made Russia very different from the Western Europe that Marx had imagined—Marx thought worker revolutions would happen in highly industrialized countries like Germany or Britain, not in agricultural Russia. Yet it was in agricultural Russia that the first successful communist revolution occurred.

Q10: What does the term "soviet" mean?

A soviet is a council or assembly. In Russia, soviets were councils formed by workers, soldiers, and peasants to govern themselves.

💡 Explanation:

The word "soviet" simply means "council" in Russian. During the revolutions of 1917, workers, soldiers, and peasants formed soviets (councils) to organize and demand change. The first major soviet was the Petrograd Soviet formed during the February Revolution. These councils represented the common people's desire to have a say in government. When the Bolsheviks took power in October, they claimed to rule in the name of the "All-Russian Congress of Soviets," suggesting power came from workers' councils. Later, the country was named the "Soviet Union" (USSR), emphasizing that it was supposedly ruled by these workers' councils (though in reality, the Communist Party held all power).

SECTION B: Answers (3 Marks Each)

Q11: Explain the difference between Liberals and Radicals in 19th century Europe.

Sample Answer:

Liberals and Radicals both wanted change, but they disagreed on the pace and extent of change. LIBERALS: • Wanted gradual, slow change • Supported representative, elected parliament • Opposed uncontrolled power of monarchs • Believed only wealthy men should vote • OPPOSED voting rights for women • Did NOT believe in universal adult franchise RADICALS: • Wanted FASTER, more radical change • Wanted government based on majority of population • SUPPORTED women's voting rights • Opposed concentration of property in few hands • Were more democratic than Liberals • Wanted broader political participation EXAMPLE: When factory workers faced terrible conditions, Liberals would say "Let's elect representatives and pass laws gradually to improve things." Radicals would say "Give all workers the vote NOW, including women, and demand immediate change." Both groups pushed for progress, but Radicals pushed much harder and wanted more people to have power.

💡 Evaluation Points (for 3 marks):

• 1 mark: Identifies that both wanted change • 1 mark: Explains difference in pace (Liberals = gradual, Radicals = fast) • 1 mark: Mentions key differences (voting rights, property, women, democracy) Or: Use 1 mark per clear difference explained with examples

Q12: What were the main problems faced by workers in early 20th century Russia?

Sample Answer:

Early 20th century Russian workers faced severe problems: WAGES & HOURS: • Extremely low wages • Very long work days (10-15 hours in factories, sometimes 16 hours in craft workshops) • No job security; workers could be fired anytime WORKING CONDITIONS: • Dangerous factory environments • Poor sanitation and safety standards • Overcrowded workspaces LIVING CONDITIONS: • Paid very little despite producing goods for factory owners • Lived in overcrowded dormitories (workers slept in shifts!) • Couldn't keep families with them • Access to very cheap housing SOCIAL ISSUES: • Divided by skill level (metalworkers considered "aristocrats" among workers) • Women workers paid only 50-75% of men's wages • Few worker associations for protection • All political parties were illegal, so no way to organize legally EXAMPLE: In 1904, food prices shot up 20%, and workers' real wages dropped 20%—meaning they couldn't afford basic food even while working full-time. These terrible conditions led workers to strike frequently, especially in the textile industry (1896-97) and metal industry (1902).

💡 Evaluation Points (for 3 marks):

• 1 mark: Lists 2-3 main problems clearly • 1 mark: Provides specific details or examples • 1 mark: Explains consequences (strikes, anger, revolution)

Q13: Describe the events of Bloody Sunday (January 1905) and its consequences.

Sample Answer:

EVENTS OF BLOODY SUNDAY (January 22, 1905): BACKGROUND: • In 1904, food prices rose sharply while workers' wages fell by 20% • Over 110,000 workers in St. Petersburg were on strike • Workers demanded: higher wages, 8-hour workday, better conditions THE MARCH: • A priest, Father Gapon, organized a peaceful march • Workers carried icons and pictures of the Tsar • They marched to the Winter Palace to present a petition to the Tsar • The procession was peaceful and non-violent THE MASSACRE: • When the workers reached the Winter Palace, government forces attacked • Police and Cossacks opened fire on the unarmed demonstrators • Over 100 workers were killed, about 300 wounded • The attack shocked all of Russia CONSEQUENCES: • Sparked the 1905 Revolution with widespread strikes across Russia • Universities closed as students walked out • Professional groups (lawyers, doctors, engineers) formed the "Union of Unions" • The Tsar was forced to create an elected parliament (Duma) • BUT the Tsar quickly dissolved the first two Dumas and changed voting laws • Showed that the Tsar would not peacefully share power • Made future violent revolution more likely

💡 Evaluation Points (for 3 marks):

• 1 mark: Describes the event (march, massacre) • 1 mark: Provides specific details (numbers killed, Father Gapon, Winter Palace) • 1 mark: Explains consequences (1905 Revolution, creation of Duma, future instability)

Q14: What was Karl Marx's argument about capitalism and private property?

Sample Answer:

KARL MARX'S ARGUMENT: WHAT IS CAPITALISM? • Under capitalism, individuals (capitalists) own factories and means of production • Workers labor in these factories to create products THE PROBLEM WITH CAPITALISM: • Workers CREATE the wealth but capitalists KEEP the profits • Capitalists are only concerned with personal gain, not worker welfare • Workers' wages stay low because capitalists want to maximize profits • This creates EXPLOITATION—workers' labor is stolen from them MARX'S SOLUTION: • Private property is the ROOT of all social ills • The only way to free workers is to ELIMINATE private property • Society as a whole (not individuals) should own all factories, land, and means of production • This would create a COMMUNIST society where property is socially controlled • In this system, the fruits of labor would be shared fairly WHY MARX BELIEVED THIS WOULD HAPPEN: • Marx believed workers would eventually realize they were being exploited • Capitalists and workers have CONFLICTING INTERESTS (a class conflict) • Workers would rise up and overthrow capitalism • This wasn't just a dream—Marx believed it was INEVITABLE • A communist society was the natural future of humanity EXAMPLE: In a factory: - Workers make clothes worth $100 - Factory owner pays workers $20 and keeps $80 as profit - This unfair system would eventually cause workers to revolt

💡 Evaluation Points (for 3 marks):

• 1 mark: Explains how capitalism works and the problem it creates • 1 mark: Describes Marx's solution (eliminate private property, communist society) • 1 mark: Explains why Marx thought workers would revolt (exploitation, class conflict)

Q15: How did the First World War contribute to the fall of the Tsar?

Sample Answer:

WORLD WAR I & THE FALL OF THE TSAR: INITIAL SUPPORT: • When Russia entered WWI in 1914, people initially supported the Tsar • Patriotic fervor united the country MILITARY DISASTERS (1914-1917): • Russian armies suffered shocking defeats against Germany and Austria • 7 MILLION soldiers were killed or wounded by 1917 • Defeats demoralized soldiers who didn't want to fight • Soldiers deserted the army to go home ECONOMIC COLLAPSE: • Germany controlled the Baltic Sea, cutting Russia off from trade • Industrial equipment broke down faster than it could be repaired • Railway lines began to break down by 1916 • Able-bodied men were conscripted, creating labor shortages in factories • Large grain supplies were sent to feed the army FOOD CRISIS IN CITIES: • Bread and flour became scarce in cities like Petrograd • By winter 1916, riots at bread shops were common • People were literally starving LOSS OF FAITH: • The Tsar refused to consult political parties or parliament • People blamed the Tsarina (who had German origins) for bad decisions • A monk named Rasputin had strange influence over the royal family • The government seemed incompetent and uncaring about suffering RESULT: • By 1917, soldiers no longer supported the Tsar • Workers and peasants were desperate for change • When the February Revolution started with bread strikes, soldiers joined the workers instead of fighting them • The military's shift in loyalty directly caused the Tsar's fall

💡 Evaluation Points (for 3 marks):

• 1 mark: Mentions military defeats and casualties • 1 mark: Describes economic collapse and food crisis • 1 mark: Explains loss of support and soldiers' role in revolution

Q16: Explain why the cavalry refused to fire on demonstrators on February 27, 1917.

Sample Answer:

WHY THE CAVALRY REFUSED TO FIRE (February 27, 1917): THE SITUATION: • By February 27, the Provisional Government was desperate to stop the demonstrations • They called out cavalry and police to control the crowds • Officers ordered the cavalry to shoot at the unarmed workers and demonstrators WHY THEY REFUSED: 1. SOLDIERS WERE ALSO WORKERS: • Most soldiers were peasants and working-class men drafted into the army • They had families who were workers and farmers • They understood the workers' grievances about hunger and poor conditions • They were shooting at their own people 2. ANTI-WAR SENTIMENT: • Soldiers were exhausted and traumatized from WWI • They didn't want to continue fighting in an unpopular war • They didn't see why they should die to protect the government 3. SYMPATHY FOR THE CAUSE: • Workers were demanding bread, wages, and democracy • These were reasonable demands • Soldiers agreed with the workers' goals 4. LOSS OF FAITH IN LEADERSHIP: • The Tsar had lost credibility • Officers couldn't inspire loyalty anymore • Soldiers saw that their leaders had failed WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED: • The cavalry REFUSED to open fire • More importantly, THREE REGIMENTS MUTINIED • They voted to SUPPORT the workers instead of fighting them • An officer was even shot at the barracks CONSEQUENCES: • This military mutiny was the turning point • It showed the government had lost control of the army • The government could no longer maintain order • The military's shift of loyalty directly enabled the success of the February Revolution • Without soldiers' support, the Tsar's government collapsed IMPORTANT: This shows how revolutions don't succeed just because of revolutionary fervor. They succeed when the MILITARY shifts its loyalty from the government to the people.

💡 Evaluation Points (for 3 marks):

• 1 mark: Identifies that soldiers were workers/peasants with sympathy for the cause • 1 mark: Explains specific reasons (shared grievances, war exhaustion, loss of faith) • 1 mark: Describes the consequences (mutiny, turning point in revolution)

SECTION C: Answers (5 Marks Each)

Q17: Compare and contrast the February Revolution and the October Revolution. What were their differences in terms of leadership, organization, and outcomes?

Sample Answer:

COMPARISON: FEBRUARY vs OCTOBER REVOLUTION FEBRUARY REVOLUTION (1917): Leadership: • NO clear political leadership initially • Happened spontaneously, not organized by political parties • Father Gapon (a priest) was involved, but not a political leader • The Petrograd Soviet (workers' council) emerged DURING the revolution Organization: • SPONTANEOUS and UNPLANNED • Started as a bread strike and lockout • No political party actively organized the movement • As the revolution spread, both liberals and socialists tried to lead it Military Role: • CRUCIAL - When soldiers refused to fire and joined workers, the revolution succeeded • Military mutiny on February 27 was the turning point • Soldiers' loyalty shift decided the outcome Outcomes: • Tsar was forced to abdicate • Monarchy was ended (300 years of Tsarist rule finished) • A Provisional Government took power (liberals and moderates) • Created the Petrograd Soviet (workers' council) • TWO centers of power competed for authority --- OCTOBER REVOLUTION (1917): Leadership: • CLEARLY LED by Vladimir Lenin and the Bolshevik Party • Lenin issued the April Theses (Peace, Land, Bread) • Bolsheviks made deliberate plans to seize power • Leon Trotskii organized the Military Revolutionary Committee Organization: • CAREFULLY PLANNED and EXECUTED • Bolsheviks built a disciplined party with clear strategy • Used propaganda to win support from workers and soldiers • Made specific plans about what to do when seizing power • Date was kept secret to ensure surprise Military Role: • Bolshevik supporters in army, factories, and soviets were mobilized • Military Revolutionary Committee coordinated military action • The ship Aurora shelled the Winter Palace as a signal • Military force was used decisively Outcomes: • Bolsheviks took complete control • One-party communist state was established • Most industries and banks were immediately nationalized • Land was taken from nobles and distributed to peasants • The Bolshevik Party became the sole holder of power • Russia became a communist state (first in the world) --- KEY DIFFERENCES: 1. LEADERSHIP: Feb = spontaneous, no clear leader / Oct = Lenin & Bolsheviks planned it 2. ORGANIZATION: Feb = unplanned workers' uprising / Oct = deliberate party strategy 3. POLITICAL OUTCOMES: Feb = shared power between Provisional Gov & Soviet / Oct = single party (Bolsheviks) held all power 4. GOALS: Feb = end Tsarism and create democracy / Oct = communist revolution and abolition of capitalism 5. SPEED: Feb = gradual escalation / Oct = swift, calculated seizure of power --- SIGNIFICANCE: The February Revolution removed the Tsar but created a vacuum where power was contested. The Provisional Government couldn't deliver on "Peace, Land, and Bread," so support shifted to Lenin. The October Revolution filled this vacuum with a clear, organized communist takeover. Together, these two revolutions (Feb + Oct) transformed Russia from a Tsarist autocracy into a communist state.

Marks Distribution:
1.5 marks: Clear comparison of leadership (both identified)
1.5 marks: Clear comparison of organization (both identified)
1.5 marks: Clear comparison of outcomes (both identified)
0.5 marks: Conclusion/significance
Total: 5 marks

Q18: Explain how Socialism emerged as a response to the problems created by the Industrial Revolution. Give examples of different socialist ideas.

Sample Answer:

SOCIALISM AS A RESPONSE TO INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: PROBLEMS CREATED BY INDUSTRIALIZATION: Economic Problems: • Factory owners became very wealthy • Workers remained extremely poor despite creating wealth • Wages were low while prices for food rose • Profit went to owners, not to workers Social Problems: • Long work hours (10-16 hours per day) • Dangerous working conditions • No job security • Women paid 50-75% of men's wages • Child labor was common Urban Problems: • Rapid city growth led to overcrowded housing • Poor sanitation and disease • Unemployment during economic downturns • Stark contrast between rich and poor neighborhoods Political Problems: • Workers had no voice in government • All political power belonged to landowners and industrialists • Working people couldn't vote or organize legally • No laws to protect workers --- SOCIALIST RESPONSE: Core Idea: Socialists believed the problem was PRIVATE PROPERTY. If individuals owned factories, they would only care about personal profit, not worker welfare. Solution: Society as a whole should own and control property. --- DIFFERENT SOCIALIST IDEAS: 1. ROBERT OWEN (1771-1858): Idea: Build cooperative communities where workers own and control factories together Example: Tried to create "New Harmony" in Indiana (USA) Method: Individual initiative and voluntary participation Problem: Small scale, couldn't spread widely 2. LOUIS BLANC (1813-1882): Idea: Government should help create cooperatives to replace capitalist enterprises Example: Wanted state-sponsored workshops in France Method: Government intervention and support Innovation: Profits would be divided according to work done 3. KARL MARX (1818-1883): Idea: Workers must OVERTHROW capitalism through violent revolution Key Argument: Capitalism is inherently exploitative and will inevitably collapse Solution: Create a communist society where ALL property is socially controlled Method: Class conflict between workers and capitalists will lead to revolution Outcome: A communist (stateless, classless) society --- WHY MARX WAS MOST INFLUENTIAL: Marx provided a complete theory explaining: 1. Why capitalism was unfair 2. Why workers would eventually rebel 3. What the future communist society would look like 4. That revolution was inevitable, not just idealistic His ideas became the basis for communist movements worldwide, including the Russian Revolution. --- COMPARISON: • Owen = Small-scale, voluntary approach • Blanc = Government-led cooperative approach • Marx = Revolutionary, complete overthrow of capitalism --- HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE: By the 1870s, socialist ideas spread rapidly through Europe. Workers formed associations and parties. Though socialists never formed governments before 1914 in Europe, Marx's ideas were powerful and inspiring. In Russia, Lenin used Marx's ideas to justify the October Revolution, creating the world's first communist state.

Marks Distribution:
1 mark: Explains problems from Industrial Revolution (at least 2 types)
1.5 marks: Explains socialist response (property ownership, society control)
2 marks: Gives examples of different socialist ideas (2-3 thinkers with their ideas)
0.5 marks: Shows connection between problems and solutions
Total: 5 marks

Q19: What were Stalin's Five-Year Plans and Collectivization? What were the consequences of these policies?

Sample Answer:

STALIN'S FIVE-YEAR PLANS AND COLLECTIVIZATION: FIVE-YEAR PLANS: What They Were: • Centralized economic plans made by the government • Detailed blueprints for how the entire economy would work • Set targets for production in industries like coal, oil, steel • Planned for 5-year periods How They Worked: • Government officials calculated how the economy should function • Set production targets for factories • Fixed prices to promote industrial growth • All decisions were made centrally by the Communist Party Results: • MASSIVE industrial growth (1929-1933): - Coal production doubled - Oil production doubled - Steel production QUADRUPLED • New factory cities like Magnitogorsk were built • Russia transformed from backward agriculture economy to industrial power Costs: • Working conditions were brutal • Magnitogorsk workers had to go down 4 floors and run across street in -40°C to use toilet • 550 work stoppages in the first year alone • Resources were limited, so people suffered --- COLLECTIVIZATION: What It Was: • Forcing all independent peasant farmers to give up their land • Creating giant collective farms (kolkhoz) run by the government • Peasants would work together and share the harvest • Supposedly more efficient than small individual farms Why Stalin Did It: • 1927-1928: Grain shortages in cities • Government fixed grain prices, but peasants refused to sell at low prices • Stalin believed rich peasants (kulaks) were hoarding grain • Solution: Force all peasants into collective farms and take control of grain How It Was Done: • Party members toured grain-producing areas • Confiscated grain from peasants • Took away land from "kulaks" (labeled as enemies) • Forced peasants into collectives by violence if necessary • Those who resisted were severely punished --- CONSEQUENCES OF COLLECTIVIZATION: Disaster for Peasants: • Peasants RESISTED the collectivization • In anger, they destroyed their own livestock • Between 1929-1931, cattle numbers fell by ONE-THIRD • Peasants lost everything they had built The Great Famine (1930-1933): • Bad harvests combined with collectivization led to catastrophe • Over 4 MILLION people died of starvation • Entire villages starved • Families ate tree bark, leather, anything to survive • One of the worst famines in Soviet history Political Terror: • Anyone who criticized collectivization was arrested • Peasants argued "We're not rich, we just don't want collective farms" • But Stalin didn't listen to their pleas • Many were deported (forcibly removed) or exiled • Some were executed Loss of Life: • Direct deaths from famine: 4+ million • Deaths from related causes: millions more • Entire regions were depopulated --- THE PARADOX: Stalin achieved his goal of rapid industrialization and made the USSR a major power. But: • It cost millions of lives • Peasants lost all their independence • The government controlled everything • Personal freedoms were eliminated • People lived in constant fear --- WHY THIS MATTERS: This shows the terrible human cost of Stalin's policies. Marx dreamed of a workers' paradise with freedom and equality. Instead, Stalin created a dictatorship where the state controlled everything and millions died. It reveals how revolutionary ideals can become brutal when leaders prioritize rapid development over human welfare.

Marks Distribution:
1.5 marks: Explains Five-Year Plans (what, how, results)
1.5 marks: Explains Collectivization (what, why, how)
1.5 marks: Describes consequences (famine, death, terror)
0.5 marks: Shows connection/significance
Total: 5 marks

Q20: Analyze the role of women in the Russian Revolution. How did they contribute to the February and October Revolutions?

Sample Answer:

WOMEN IN THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: WOMEN WORKERS IN PRE-REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA: Economic Status: • Made up 31% of factory labor force by 1914 • Paid only 50-75% of men's wages for same work • Worked 10-16 hour days • Lived in overcrowded dormitories • Faced sexual harassment and discrimination Social Status: • No voting rights • Legally dependent on fathers or husbands • Limited education opportunities • Subjected to patriarchal control --- WOMEN'S ROLE IN FEBRUARY REVOLUTION (1917): The Starting Point: • February 23, 1917 was "International Women's Day" • This was not a pre-planned political event but a celebration for workers • On this day, women workers in textile factories and other industries led the way The March: • Women workers presented red bows to male colleagues in celebration • At the Lorenz telephone factory, Marfa Vasileva, a milling machine operator, inspired action • When she refused to work (saying "I cannot be the only one who is satiated when others are hungry"), other women followed • Soon the men downed their tools and joined the strike Spreading the Movement: • Women led strikes in 50 factories • The demonstration spread from factory districts to the city center • Women marched to the Nevskii Prospekt (main avenue) Key Contribution: • Women INITIATED the February Revolution • Their leadership convinced male workers and even soldiers to join • The government called out cavalry, but soldiers refused to fire when they saw peaceful women demonstrators • Women's courage helped inspire soldiers to mutiny Quote from the Document: "Women workers, often ... inspired their male co-workers… Marfa Vasileva almost single-handedly called a successful strike. The administrator asked her again why she refused to work and she replied, 'I cannot be the only one who is satiated when others are hungry'. Women workers from another section of the factory gathered around Marfa in support and gradually all the other women ceased working." --- IMPACT ON FEBRUARY REVOLUTION: • Women's actions broke the ice and started the revolution • Their role as "peaceful demonstrators" helped gain public sympathy • Women's leadership showed that even the most oppressed could fight back • The military's reluctance to fire on women helped soldiers decide to join the workers --- WOMEN'S ROLE IN OCTOBER REVOLUTION: Less Visible Leadership: • The October Revolution was more organized and planned by the Bolshevik Party • Male leadership (Lenin, Trotskii) was more visible • Women's specific contributions were less documented Continued Support: • Women workers supported the Bolshevik takeover • Women soldiers and nurses participated in military actions • Women were part of factory committees that supported the revolution --- BROADER SIGNIFICANCE: 1. BREAKING STEREOTYPES: Women showed they were not passive victims but active fighters for change They proved they could inspire men and make political decisions 2. REVEALING DOUBLE OPPRESSION: Women faced both class oppression (as workers) and gender oppression (as women) The revolution promised to address both issues 3. POST-REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES: After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks did grant women: • Voting rights (though limited by the one-party system) • Access to education and work • Some legal equality • Though full equality was not achieved --- LIMITATIONS: • Women's visibility decreased in October compared to February • Bolshevik revolution was still male-dominated • While women gained some rights, patriarchy persisted in Soviet society • Women's contributions were often downplayed in historical accounts --- CONCLUSION: Women were CRUCIAL to the success of the February Revolution. By initiating the bread strikes and inspiring workers and soldiers, they triggered the chain of events that brought down the Tsar. In October, though less visible, women continued to support the Bolshevik takeover. The Russian Revolution showed that women could be revolutionary forces, challenging both the old system and gender inequality. Their role demonstrates that revolutions are successful when the most oppressed sections of society—including women—are mobilized and empowered.

Marks Distribution:
1 mark: Describes women workers' status (wages, hours, discrimination)
1.5 marks: Explains women's role in February Revolution (led strikes, inspired others)
1 mark: Discusses women's role in October Revolution (support, less visible)
1 mark: Analyzes broader significance (challenging oppression, historical impact)
0.5 marks: Conclusion/synthesis
Total: 5 marks

SECTION D: Answers (8 Marks Each)

Q21: Explain why socialism became one of the most powerful ideas of the 20th century. Discuss how the Russian Revolution transformed socialist ideas into reality and what happened when it was implemented.

Sample Answer (250-300 words):

WHY SOCIALISM BECAME POWERFUL IN THE 20TH CENTURY: ROOTS IN 19TH CENTURY PROBLEMS: The Industrial Revolution created massive inequality. Factory owners became rich while workers remained poor. Socialists offered a radical solution: eliminate private property and let society collectively control the means of production. This vision attracted millions of oppressed workers worldwide. MARX'S INFLUENTIAL THEORY: Karl Marx provided a systematic explanation of why capitalism would inevitably collapse and workers would triumph. His ideas were powerful because they seemed scientific and historical—not just idealistic wishes. Communists believed they understood the laws of history itself. WHY RUSSIA? Surprisingly, socialism's first success came in agricultural Russia, not industrialized Western Europe. War, famine, and Tsarist brutality created perfect conditions for revolution. When the Bolsheviks offered "Peace, Land, and Bread," millions supported them. THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION (1917): Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized power and immediately began transforming socialist ideas into state policy: • Nationalized all factories, banks, and industries (government took ownership) • Declared land as social property, allowing peasants to seize noble estates • Banned private enterprise • Created a one-party communist state • Established the USSR (Soviet Union) in 1922 WHAT HAPPENED DURING IMPLEMENTATION: Success Stories: • Industrial production increased dramatically (coal, oil, steel output soared) • Schools and universities expanded; literacy increased • Basic healthcare became available • A backward nation became a world power • The USSR defeated Nazi Germany in WWII Dark Reality: • Stalin's collectivization killed 4+ million peasants in famine • Political opposition was crushed; the secret police tortured and killed millions • Personal freedoms were eliminated; no free speech, press, or movement • Millions were sent to labor camps (Gulags) for minor criticisms • The communist party held all power, not workers as Marx envisioned THE CONTRADICTION: Marx dreamed of a workers' paradise with freedom and equality. Instead, Stalin created a dictatorship where the Communist Party controlled everything. Workers had no real power or freedom. GLOBAL IMPACT: Despite these failures, socialism's example inspired colonial peoples everywhere. Independence movements in India, China, Vietnam, and Africa were influenced by the Soviet model. Communism became a global superpower ideology that shaped the entire second half of the 20th century. CONCLUSION: Socialism became powerful because it offered hope to the oppressed: the idea that workers could control their destiny and build a fairer world. The Russian Revolution proved that workers could actually overthrow capitalism. However, the implementation under Stalin showed that revolutionary ideals could be corrupted by authoritarian leadership. The 20th century witnessed both socialism's promise and its devastating failures.

Marks Distribution:
2 marks: Explains why socialism became powerful (responds to inequality, Marx's theory)
2 marks: Describes how October Revolution transformed socialist ideas into reality
2 marks: Discusses what happened—both successes and failures
1.5 marks: Analyzes contradiction between ideals and reality
0.5 marks: Conclusion
Total: 8 marks

Q22: Discuss the economic and social conditions in Russia before 1917 that made revolution possible. Why was Russia unlike other European countries, and how did this affect the nature of the revolution?

Sample Answer (250-300 words):

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS ENABLING REVOLUTION: AGRARIAN ECONOMY: • 85% of Russians were farmers, unlike Western Europe (40-50%) • Russia was industrializing rapidly but most people lived in poverty • Peasants had no land of their own; nobles owned vast estates • Peasants frequently revolted, refusing to pay rent or even murdering landlords • The desire for land ownership was the strongest motivation for peasants INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS: • Though less industrialized, Russia's factories had brutal conditions • 10-16 hour workdays, poverty wages, no safety standards • Workers were divided by skill level but united in their suffering • In 1904, food prices rose 20% while real wages fell 20%—people couldn't afford bread POLITICAL REPRESSION: • Russia was an autocracy; the Tsar had unlimited power • Unlike Western Europe, no parliament existed to check the Tsar's authority • All political parties were illegal until 1905 • Secret police arrested and tortured dissidents • Even after 1905, the Tsar shut down the Duma when it challenged his authority WORLD WAR I CATASTROPHE: • WWI devastated Russia more than any other nation • 7 million soldiers killed or wounded by 1917 • Military defeats destroyed the Tsar's prestige • Food shortages led to riots in cities • Soldiers grew exhausted and unwilling to fight • When told to fire on demonstrators, soldiers refused and joined the workers --- WHY RUSSIA WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: BACKWARDNESS: Russia was less industrialized, more agricultural, and more "backward" than Western Europe. Marx predicted revolution would happen in advanced industrial nations like Germany. Instead, it happened in backward Russia—surprising the world. TSARIST AUTOCRACY: Unlike Britain or France with their parliaments, Russia had an absolute Tsar with no checks on power. This meant NO peaceful reform was possible. Revolutionary change seemed like the only option. NO LIBERAL TRADITION: Western Europe had centuries of gradual liberal reform. Russia had none. This created a stark choice: either accept autocracy or overthrow it completely. PEASANT POWER: Russia's 85% peasant population had a tradition of collective land-sharing (mir). Some socialists thought peasants, not workers, would lead the revolution. This was different from Western Europe where workers were the focus. --- HOW THIS AFFECTED THE NATURE OF THE REVOLUTION: More Violent: • No peaceful reform was possible under Tsarist rule • Revolution had to be violent and complete overthrow • This made Lenin's approach (violent seizure of power) the only viable path More Radical: • The revolution couldn't just reform existing systems • It had to completely destroy the old order • This enabled the Bolsheviks to go further than Western socialists imagined Peasant-Worker Coalition: • The revolution needed both peasants (majority) and workers • Lenin promised peasants land, which won their support • But this created tensions—Stalin later had to force peasants into collectives One-Party Dictatorship: • The complete destruction of the old system meant no competing institutions • The Bolsheviks became a sole party with monopoly power • Lack of liberal traditions meant no checks on this power • This made dictatorship easier than in Western Europe Creation of Soviet Model: • Russia's unique conditions created a unique communist system • The USSR's harsh, centralized approach became the model for other communist nations • The revolution spread globally because it showed what was possible --- CONCLUSION: Russia's combination of agrarian backwardness, industrial growth, Tsarist autocracy, and WWI catastrophe made violent revolution inevitable. The revolution's radical nature—destroying everything and rebuilding from scratch—reflected Russia's unique conditions. Because Marx hadn't predicted revolution in backward Russia, Lenin had to invent new revolutionary theory. The Russian Revolution showed that communism could take root in "unexpected" places, inspiring colonial and peasant-based revolutions worldwide. But Russia's lack of liberal traditions also made totalitarianism easier, as there were no institutional checks on the Communist Party's power.

Marks Distribution:
2 marks: Describes economic conditions (agrarian, industrial, WWI impact)
2 marks: Describes social conditions (repression, peasant issues, worker problems)
2 marks: Explains why Russia was different from Europe (autocracy, backwardness, no liberal tradition)
1.5 marks: Analyzes how this affected revolution's nature (more violent, more radical, peasant role)
0.5 marks: Conclusion
Total: 8 marks