Questions & Answers
197 answers across all subjects
Stalin’s collectivisation programme.
He began this programme in 1929. He believed this programme would help in improving grain supplies. All peasants were forced to cultivate in collective farms called ‘Kolkhoz’. On the contrary, this worsened the food supply situation.
The Liberals
They considered all religions as equal. They believed only men who have property had the right to vote They wanted an elected form of Parliamentary governance.
Women workers between 1900 and 1930
nswer: Their wages were less than the wages of men. They formed 31% of the factory workforce.
The Duma
In 1905, Tsar allowed the creation of an elected consultative Parliament or Duma. The Tsar dismissed the first Duma within 75 days and re-elected the second Duma within three months. The Tsar did not want anyone to question his authority or undermine and reduce his powers. The Tsar changed the voting laws and packed the Third Duma with conservative politicians. Liberals and revolutionaries were kept out.
Write a few lines to show what you know about: Kulaks
Wealthy peasants who Stalin believed were hoarding the grains to gain more profit. When the towns faced acute shortage of grains, Kulaks were thought to be responsible for it. Stalin thought it was necessary to eliminate them so that farms could be modernised.
What were the main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution?
Industries and banks were nationalised by November 1917; Government took over ownership and management. The land was declared as a social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of the nobility. In the cities, Bolsheviks enforced the partition of large houses according to family requirements. Old titles of the aristocracy were banned. New uniforms were designed for the army and officials. Bolshevik Party was renamed as the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik) Bolsheviks conducted elections to the constituent assembly; however, they failed to attain the majority, Assembly rejected the Bolshevik measures, and Lenin dismissed the assembly. All Russian Congress of Soviets became Parliament of the country. Russia became a one-party state. Trade unions were kept under party control, the Secret Police punished anyone who criticised the Bolsheviks. Many young artists and writers continued to support the Party as it stood for Socialism. Many experiments were done in Arts and Architecture. But many artists were unhappy because of the censorship.
Make two lists: one with the main events and the 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.
Answer: Main events of February Revolution: In February 1917, there was a shortage of food items in workers quarters. On February 23, a lockout took place at a factory on the right bank. The workers in fifty factories called a strike and women played a very critical role in these strikes. On February 25, the government suspended the Duma. On February 27, Police headquarters were ransacked, people were demonstrating and raising slogans about bread, wages, better hours and democracy. Petrograd Soviet was formed. The Tsar abdicated in March 1917, bringing an end to the Monarchy. Soviet leaders and Duma leaders formed a Provisional Government to run the country. Effects of the February Revolution: Restrictions on public meetings and associations were removed. ‘Soviets’ like the Petrograd Soviet, were set up everywhere, though no common system of election was followed. The number of trade unions increased. In Industrial areas, factory committees were formed to question the way industrialists ran their factories. Soldiers’ committees were formed in the Army. The Bolsheviks’ influence kept growing, and the provisional government saw its power reducing. Land committees were formed to handle redistribution of land, which was a popular demand for peasants and their socialist revolutionary leaders in the countryside. Main events of the October Revolution: As the conflict between the provisional government and the Bolsheviks grew, Lenin feared the Provisional Government would set up a dictatorship. Lenin began discussions for an uprising against the government. Bolshevik supporters in the Army, Soviets and factories were brought together. On 16th October 1917, Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and the Bolshevik Party to agree to a socialist seizure of power. A military revolutionary committee was appointed by the Soviet under Leon Trotsky to organize the seizure. The uprising began on 24th October 1917. Military men who were loyal to the government seized the buildings of two Bolshevik newspapers. Pro-Government troops were sent to take over telephone and telegraph offices and protect the Winter Palace. In retaliation, the Military Revolutionary Committee ordered its supporters to seize government offices and arrest ministers. A ship named Aurora bombed the Winter Palace, other ships sailed down the Neva and took over various military positions. By the end of the month, the city was under the control of committee and ministers had resigned. By December, Bolsheviks controlled the Moscow-Petrograd area. Effects of the October Revolution. Industries and banks were nationalised by November 1917; Government took over ownership and management. The land was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of the nobility. In the cities, the Bolsheviks enforced the partition of large houses according to family requirements. Old titles of the aristocracy were banned. New uniforms were designed for the army and officials. Bolshevik Party was renamed as the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik) Bolsheviks conducted elections to the constituent assembly; however, they failed to attain the majority. The assembly rejected the Bolshevik measures, and Lenin dismissed the assembly. All Russian Congress of Soviets became the Parliament of the country. Russia became a one-party state. Trade unions were kept under party control. The Secret Police punished anyone who criticised the Bolsheviks. Many young artists and writers continued to support the Party, as it stood for Socialism. Many experiments were done in Arts and Architecture. But many were unhappy because of the censorship.
Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
After 1905, most trade unions and factory committees were declared illegal. There were restrictions on political activity. The Tsar dismissed the first 2 Dumas very quickly because he did not want his authority and powers to be questioned. The third Duma was filled with Conservative politicians. During the 1st world war, the Tsar started taking unilateral decisions without consulting the Duma. While Russian soldiers were retreating from the war, large swathes of agricultural lands were burnt and buildings destroyed by them on the orders of the Tsar. Millions of soldiers also died in the battle. The large majority of the population were peasants, and the land was under the control of a few private people. All these factors led to the rise of revolution and the collapse of Tsar autocracy.
In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
The vast majority of Russia’s population were agriculturists. About 85 per cent of the Russian Empire’s population earned their living from Agriculture. This proportion was higher than in most European countries. In France and Germany, the proportion was between 40 per cent and 50 per cent. Cultivators produced for the market as well as for their own needs, and Russia was a major exporter of grain.
What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
Answer: Social Condition: Workers were a divided group. Some had strong links with the villages; others had settled permanently in cities. Workers were divided based on their skills. The division among workers reflected in their dress and manners too. Economic Condition: Most industries were the private property of industrialists. The government supervised large factories. The industry was found in pockets. Many factories were set up in the 1890s when Russia’s railway network was extended, foreign investment in industry increased, coal production doubled, and iron and steel output quadrupled. Most industries were the private property of industrialists. Political Condition: Russia was an autocracy. Unlike other European countries, The Tsar was not subject to a Parliament. Liberals in Russia campaigned to end this state of affairs. Socialist Revolutionary Party Struggled for Peasants’ Rights 1905 was the year when the incident of ‘Bloody Sunday’ took place. 100 workers were killed, and about 300 were wounded. Bloody Sunday started a series of events that became known as the 1905 revolution.
Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Though it says ‘Universal Rights’, women were unfortunately left out from the basic rights that were promised. They did not have equal rights that men enjoyed. They did not have the right to liberty, property, security and above all, the resistance to oppression. In the formulation of laws, women did not have any representation. Women were not entitled to all the honours and public employment, according to their abilities.
Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.
The list of democratic rights are Freedom of speech Freedom of expression Freedom of press Abolition of censorship Right to vote Abolition of slavery Right to liberty Right to property Right to security Right to education Divorce laws
Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The ideas of liberty and democratic rights are the most important legacies of the French revolution. These spread from France to the rest of Europe during the nineteenth century, where feudal systems were abolished. Colonised people reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into their movements to create a sovereign nation-state. Tipu Sultan and Ram Mohan Roy are two examples of individuals who responded to the ideas originating from Revolutionary France.
Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?
French society was divided into 3 estates. The third estate benefitted the most. The third estate consisted of Peasants, artisans, Small peasants, landless labour, servants, big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers etc. The groups that were forced to relinquish power were the people belonging to the 1st and 2nd estate. These people had enjoyed certain privileges by birth. With the revolution, the people in 1st and 2nd estate lost their privileges. Because inequality was one of the root causes of the revolution, the revolution tried to bring equality to society.
Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
When King Louis XVI was anointed as the new king, he found an empty treasury. Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. On top of this, there was the cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the Palace of Versailles. France had helped the thirteen American colonies gain their independence from their common enemy, Britain. The war added more than a billion lives to a debt that had already risen to more than 2 billion lives. Lenders who gave credit began to charge 10 per cent interest on loans. So the French Government had to spend an increasing percentage of its budget on interest payments alone. To meet its regular expenses, such as cost of maintaining an army, the court, governmental offices and Universities were increasingly becoming difficult. Raising taxes did not suffice, because the French society was divided into 3 estates and only the 3rd estate had to pay taxes. The 1st estate and the 2nd estate did not pay any taxes. The population of France was also growing massively. This led to a rapid increase in the demand for food grains. Production of grains could not keep pace with demand. So the price of bread, which was the staple diet of the majority rose rapidly. Most workers were employed as labourers in workshops, whose owner fixed their wages. But the wages did not keep pace with the rise in prices. So the gap between the rich and the poor widened. All these factors led to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
In what ways did the Nazi state seek to establish total control over its people?
President of the Weimar Republic Paul Von Hindenburg made Hitler the chancellor of Germany. Shortly after, a mysterious fire broke out in the Reichstag, the parliament building of Germany. Blaming the act of arson on communists and other ‘enemy of the state, Hitler passed the First Fire decree in 1933 which suspended the civic rights like freedom of speech, press and freedom of assembly. Thus, Hitler effectively started controlling the German population. Other measures he undertook to systematically dismantle democracy in Germany were the following: (I) ‘The Enabling Act’ was passed, which gave all powers to Hitler to sideline the parliament and rule by decree. (ll) All political parties, with the exception of the Nazi Party, were banned. The members of these banned parties were either imprisoned, exiled or assassinated. (III) The communists were eradicated, with the remaining members being sent to concentration camps. (IV) Special security forces such as the SA, SS, SD and Gestapo were created to control and order society in ways that the Nazis wanted. These organisations were given extra-judicial powers. (V) In schools, children were taught to be loyal and submissive. They were also taught to hate Jews and worship Hitler, thus cultivating a personality cult in the process. (VI) Nazi youth organizations, the like ‘Jungvolk’ and ‘Hitler Youth’ were created, where the youth were taught to hate democracy, communism, Jews and other ‘undesirables’.
. Explain the role of women in Nazi society. Return to Chapter 1 on the French Revolution. Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the role of women in the two periods.
Women in Nazi society were relegated to housewives who were charged with upholding the honour of the German race by limiting contacts with ‘undesirables’ and raising as many pure-blooded children as possible. Those who conformed to this role were given favoured treatment in hospitals, concessions in shops, theatre tickets and railway fares. Despite Hitler’s statement on ‘women being the most important citizen’, it did not apply to every woman. Especially those who deviated from Nazi ideology. Those that did, risked public humiliation, loss of civic honour, loss of family, jail sentence and even death. This was in total contrast to the role of women in the French Revolution, where women led movements and fought for the right to education and the right to equal wages as men. They could not be forced to marry against their will. They could also train for jobs, become artists or run small businesses. Schooling was made compulsory for them, and they could even hold property.
Explain why Nazi propaganda was effective in creating a hatred for Jews.
The Nazis were quite effective in using propaganda to great effect. They made propaganda films to fan hatred for Jews with the most infamous being The Eternal Jew. Orthodox Jews were stereotyped and marked. They were shown with flowing beards, wearing kaftans and were referred to as rats and vermin who fed off good Germans. Jews were also blamed for Germany’s defeat in World War I, despite the fact that a large number of them served with distinction in the conflict. The propaganda by the Nazis effectively worked on the minds of the people, making use of the centuries of anti-Semitic feelings and tapping their emotions. This turned their hatred and anger at those who were blamed for all of Germany’s past and present ills. And the Nazis would be the remedy for these ‘ills’
What are the peculiar features of Nazi thinking?
The Nazi thinking was synonymous with Hitler’s world view. The features of such thinking are as follows: (I) There was no equality among the human race, only a racial hierarchy – with the blonde, blue-eyed, Nordic German Aryans being at the top and the Jews being placed at the bottom level. All the other coloured people were placed somewhere in between, depending on their external features. (II) The other aspect of Nazi ideology was the concept of Lebensraum or living space. It was believed that new territories had to be acquired at the expense of the local population in order to enhance material resources and the power of the German nation. (III) They believed in the survival of the fittest, which was a twisted version of Charles Darwin theory about natural selection. In their version, they believed that the strongest race would survive, while the weak would perish. (IV) Nazi thinking put much emphasis on ‘racial purity’. This meant that anyone born with physical and mental disabilities was considered ‘undesirable’ and impure. Allowing their existence would only pollute the German race and hence they had no right to exist. Along with Jews, Gypsies, Slavic and blacks were all considered subhuman and executed in large numbers under the shadow of World War II. (V) Nazis believed in war and aggression. Any notion of peace or related ideologies were considered weak by their standards. They believed that world domination through war justified in proving the superiority of the German race.
Discuss why Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930.
The end of World War I had changed the political landscape of Germany. Right from the beginning, the infant Weimar Republic was beset by problems. (I) The harsh Versailles Treaty was a serious blow to the national prestige of the Germans and to the economy. (II) The economic situation was worsened by the Great Depression of 1929, which had severely affected the already fragile German economy. The inability of the Weimar Republic to remedy the situation only further inflamed public sentiments. (III) The political scenario was not any better as the various political factions, such as the communists and socialists fought with each other that stalled any policy that would uplift the plight of the German people. (IV) It was in this background that Hitler would organise the fledgling National Socialist German Worker’s party, otherwise known as the Nazi party into a mass movement. (V) By implementing Nazi ideals, Hitler promised to undo the injustice of the Versailles treaty and restore the dignity of the German people, promising economic security and to build a strong German nation free from all foreign influences and ‘conspiracies’. (VI) He found strong support among the German middle class, who were threatened with destitution due to economic collapse that had shut down banks, businesses and factories. (VII) Nazi propaganda, along with Hitler’s powerful oratory skills, successfully portrayed Hitler as a saviour and Nazism as the means to deliver the German people from the distress of living in a time of acute economic and political crisis.