Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

1. List two differences between the capitalist and socialist ideas of private property.

• Capitalist Idea: Private property is owned by individuals or businesses who are concerned with personal gain. They control the means of production, and profits are kept by the owners.
• Socialist Idea: Private property is controlled by society as a whole, meaning that the means of production are owned collectively. The focus is on collective welfare rather than individual profit.

2. Imagine that a meeting has been called in your area to discuss the socialist idea of doing away with private property and introducing collective ownership. Write the speech you would make at the meeting if you are:

• A poor labourer working in the fields: “Brothers and sisters, we work hard every day under the sun, but the land we till does not belong to us. We barely earn enough to feed our families. Under socialism, the land will belong to us, the people who work on it. We will work together, share the produce, and no one will go hungry. Let us support this idea for a better future for our children.”
• A medium-level landowner: “Friends, I own some land, but I understand the need for equality. If we all work together and share our resources, we can create a society where everyone is treated fairly. I believe that collective ownership will bring prosperity to all, not just a few.”
• A house owner: “Neighbors, I have a small house that I have built with my hard-earned money. I worry about what collective ownership might mean for me. But I also see the suffering around me. If collective ownership can help everyone live a better life, maybe we should consider it carefully and see how we can all benefit.”

Exercise Questions

1. What were the social, economic, and political conditions in Russia before 1905?

• Social Conditions: The majority of the population were peasants who lived in poverty. They were deeply religious but had little respect for the nobility. The workers in the cities were also poor and often worked long hours in unsafe conditions.
• Economic Conditions: Russia was primarily an agricultural country with a small industrial sector. The industry was concentrated in a few cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow. Most of the land was owned by the nobility, the crown, and the Orthodox Church.
• Political Conditions: Russia was an autocracy under Tsar Nicholas II. The Tsar had absolute power, and there was no parliament to represent the people. Political parties were illegal, and there was no freedom of speech or assembly.

2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?

• In Russia, the working population was mostly composed of peasants and a smaller number of industrial workers. Unlike other European countries, where the industrial working class was larger and more politically active, the Russian workers were divided by skill levels and had strong ties to their rural origins. The peasants in Russia also practiced a unique system of communal land ownership, unlike the more individualized land ownership in Western Europe.

3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?

• The Tsarist autocracy collapsed due to a combination of factors including widespread discontent among the peasants and workers, military defeats in World War I, economic hardships, and the Tsar’s refusal to share power. The February Revolution of 1917, led by workers and soldiers in Petrograd, forced Tsar Nicholas II to abdicate, ending centuries of autocratic rule in Russia.

4. Make two lists: one with the main events and effects of the February Revolution and the other with the main events and effects of the October Revolution. Write a paragraph on who was involved in each, who were the leaders, and what was the impact of each on Soviet history.

• February Revolution:
  • Main Events:
    1. Workers strike in Petrograd.
    2. Soldiers mutiny and join the strikers.
    3. Formation of the Petrograd Soviet.
    4. Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.
    5. Establishment of the Provisional Government.
  • Effects:
    1. End of the Tsarist autocracy.
    2. Temporary democratic government established.
    3. Soviets began to gain influence.
• October Revolution:
  • Main Events:
    1. Lenin returns from exile.
    2. Bolsheviks gain control of the Petrograd Soviet.
    3. Military Revolutionary Committee leads an armed uprising.
    4. Seizure of key government buildings.
    5. Overthrow of the Provisional Government.
  • Effects:
    1. Bolsheviks come to power.
    2. Establishment of a socialist government.
    3. Beginning of the civil war in Russia.

Paragraph: The February Revolution was led by the working class and soldiers in Petrograd, with leaders from the Petrograd Soviet and moderate socialist parties. This revolution resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the formation of the Provisional Government. However, the government’s inability to address key issues led to the October Revolution. The October Revolution was led by the Bolsheviks under Lenin and Trotsky. It resulted in the overthrow of the Provisional Government and the establishment of a socialist state. The impact of these revolutions was the creation of the Soviet Union and the beginning of a new era in Russian and world history.

5. What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?

• The Bolsheviks abolished private property, nationalized industries and banks, and redistributed land to the peasants. They also withdrew Russia from World War I by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. The Bolsheviks established a one-party state under the control of the Communist Party and set up a planned economy.

6. Write a few lines to show what you know about:

• Kulaks: Kulaks were wealthy peasants in Russia who owned larger farms and were perceived as class enemies by the Soviet government during collectivization. They were often targeted, their properties confiscated, and many were deported or executed.
• The Duma: The Duma was the Russian parliament created after the 1905 Revolution. However, it had limited powers and was often dismissed by the Tsar when it opposed his policies.
• Women workers between 1900 and 1930: Women workers played a crucial role in the Russian labor force, particularly in factories. They participated in strikes and were active in the revolutionary movements. Despite their significant contributions, they were often paid less than men.
• The Liberals: The Liberals in Russia were a political group that advocated for a constitutional monarchy, civil liberties, and a parliamentary government. They were active in the Duma but were eventually overshadowed by more radical political movements.
• Stalin’s collectivization programme: Stalin’s collectivization programme aimed to consolidate individual landholdings into large, state-controlled farms (kolkhozes) to increase agricultural productivity and grain supplies. It faced significant resistance from peasants and led to widespread famine and suffering.

Extra Questions: 

1. What were the main political ideologies in Europe during the nineteenth century, and how did they differ?

• Answer: The main political ideologies in Europe during the nineteenth century were liberalism, radicalism, and conservatism. Liberals advocated for individual rights, representative government, and were against the uncontrolled power of dynastic rulers, but they did not support universal suffrage. Radicals wanted broader political participation and supported the rights of women and the working class, opposing the privileges of the aristocracy and wealthy capitalists. Conservatives preferred gradual change and respected traditional institutions, believing that changes should occur slowly and with respect for the past.

2. How did industrialization contribute to social and political changes in Europe?

• Answer: Industrialization led to the growth of cities, the expansion of the working class, and new economic opportunities, but it also caused social problems such as poor working conditions, low wages, and unemployment. These issues led to social and political movements, as workers and other groups sought to improve their living and working conditions. Liberals and radicals proposed various reforms to address these problems, contributing to the broader social and political changes in Europe.

3. Why did socialism gain popularity in Europe in the nineteenth century?

• Answer: Socialism gained popularity in Europe because it offered a vision of a society where the inequalities created by capitalism could be eliminated. Socialists believed that private property was the root of social ills and that collective ownership of property would lead to a more equitable society. The hardships faced by workers and the inequities of capitalist society made socialism an appealing alternative for many.

4. What were the main ideas proposed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels regarding socialism?

• Answer: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels argued that industrial society was inherently capitalist and that capitalists exploited workers to generate profit. They believed that the working class needed to overthrow capitalism and establish a society where all property was collectively owned. Marx envisioned a communist society where the state would eventually wither away, and all people would be equal and free from exploitation.

5. How did the Russian Revolution of 1905 contribute to the fall of the Tsarist autocracy?

• Answer: The Russian Revolution of 1905 exposed the weaknesses of the Tsarist autocracy. It was sparked by widespread discontent among workers, peasants, and the middle class due to poor working conditions, political repression, and the failures of the Russo-Japanese War. The revolution led to the creation of the Duma (a parliamentary body), but the Tsar’s refusal to share power and his continued repression ultimately set the stage for the 1917 revolutions that led to the fall of the Tsarist regime.

6. What were Lenin’s April Theses, and why were they significant?

• Answer: Lenin’s April Theses were a set of directives issued upon his return to Russia in April 1917. They called for an end to the war, the transfer of land to the peasants, and the nationalization of banks. Lenin also argued that the Bolsheviks should take power and that the party should be renamed the Communist Party. These theses were significant because they set the agenda for the Bolshevik Revolution and distinguished the Bolsheviks from other socialist groups.

7. How did the Bolsheviks manage to seize power during the October Revolution of 1917?

• Answer: The Bolsheviks seized power during the October Revolution by organizing an armed uprising against the Provisional Government. They gained the support of workers, soldiers, and soviets (councils) across Russia. On 24 October 1917, they took control of key government buildings, communication centers, and military installations in Petrograd, leading to the fall of the Provisional Government and the establishment of Bolshevik rule.

8. What were the immediate actions taken by the Bolsheviks after coming to power in October 1917?

• Answer: After coming to power, the Bolsheviks nationalized industry and banks, redistributed land to peasants, and abolished private property. They also withdrew Russia from World War I by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. Additionally, the Bolsheviks reorganized the government, making the All Russian Congress of Soviets the main governing body and establishing a one-party state.

9. What was Stalin’s collectivization policy, and what were its consequences?

• Answer: Stalin’s collectivization policy aimed to consolidate individual peasant farms into large, state-controlled collective farms (kolkhozes) to increase agricultural productivity and control grain supplies. The policy led to widespread resistance from peasants, resulting in the destruction of livestock and a significant drop in agricultural output. The forced collectivization also caused a devastating famine between 1930 and 1933, leading to millions of deaths.

10. How did the Russian Revolution influence global politics and movements in the 20th century?

• Answer: The Russian Revolution had a profound impact on global politics, inspiring the formation of communist parties in various countries and influencing anti-colonial movements. The USSR became a model for socialist states, and its support for revolutionary movements around the world contributed to the spread of communist ideology. The revolution also led to the division of the world into capitalist and socialist blocs during the Cold War, shaping international relations for much of the 20th century.