SOCIALISM IN EUROPE AND RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

CLASS 9 WORK SHEET

1.1905 REVOLUTION

* The year 1904 was a bad one for Russian workers. Prices of essential goods raised rapidly that the
real wages declined by 20%.

*The membership of workers associations rose dramatically.

*When 4 members of the Assembly of Russian workers, were dismissed at the Putilov Iron works,
there was a call for a Industrial action.

*Over next few days, more then 110,000 workers in St.Petersburg went on strike – demanding

*Reduction in working day to 8 hours * an Increase in wages * Improvement in working conditions.

*When Procession of workers led by father Gapon reached the winter palace, it was attacked by
police. Over 100 workers were killed and about 300 wounded. This incident, known as ‘Bloody
Sunday’ or 1905 Revolution.

* Strikes took place all over the country and universities closed…. Lawyers, doctors, engineers
established Union of Unions and demanding a constituent assembly.

* The Tzar allowed the creation of an elected representative Parliament -Duma.

2. April Thesis

* In April 1917, Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia from his exile.

Three demands of Lenin – He felt, it was time for the soviets to take over power. He decided that the
war to be brought to a close. * Land should be transferred to peasants * Banks should be
nationalised.

3. Changes brought about by the Bolsheviks after the October Revolution:

* The Bolshevik Government nationalised the industries.

* Land was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of the nobility.

* Enforced the partitions of large houses in accordance to the requirements of the family.

*Old titles of aristocracy were abolished.

* The entire army was reorganized. * All other parties were banned.

* New uniforms were designed for the army and officials.

4. Stalin’s Collectivization Programme.

* Party forced all peasants to cultivate in collective farms.

* The bulk of land and implement were transferred to the ownership of collective farms.

* Peasants worked on the land and the Kolkhoz profit was shared.
* Enraged peasant resisted the authorities and destroyed their livestock.

* Those who resisted Collectivization were severely punished.

* Stalin’s Government allowed some independent cultivators unsympathetically.