1. Comment on the work of Karl Marx?

The German Philosopher Karl Marx put forward the philosophy of equality. His ideologies and work opposed exploitation of labor community by the capitalists. Together with Fredrick Engels, Marx wrote and published the famous pamphlet ‘The Communist Manifesto’ in 1848. His work instigated Russian Revolution.

2. Write about dictatorial rule in Russia that led to the revolution?

Russia was ruled under the autocratic leadership of tsars. It was ruled under Romanov dynasty for three centuries. They did not encourage thought of liberation. They opposed freedom of expression and supported their won imperialistic objectives.

3. Who was Rasputin?

Rasputin was a Russian spiritualist and advisor to the Romanovs. He impressed people with his knowledge and ability to explain the Bible in a simple way. Queen Tsarina was under his spell. All important appointments were subject to his approval. Tsar administration was under total anarchy.

4.  Who were the Nihilists?

Nihilists were a group of thinkers in Russia who stood for absolute individualism. The term ‘nihilism’ was first used by Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi. This term was derived from Latin word ‘nihil’ meaning “nothing”. The Nihilist movement of 1860's rejected all authorities.  After the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881, the Nihilists were known throughout Europe as a group that followed means of violence in order to bring about political change.

5. Why did Nihilists work secretly?

Nihilists criticized all institutions including government, religion and marriage which generated fury amongst the authorities. The dictatorial rule of tsars focused on promoting their imperialistic objectives. They strongly opposed freedom and liberation movements. All these factors prompted Nihilists to either flee from the country or work secretly.

6.  How were the liberalist and humanitarian writers treated during the rule of tsars?

Thinkers and writers like Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Pushkin and Maxim Gorky promoted liberalism and humanism. Their thoughts and ideologies were not welcomed during tsar regime.  

7. Explain the condition of workers and other social classes under the Tsar regime?

Industries during tsar regime did not meet the requirement of the masses. Though agriculture was important source to the economy, it was not supported by the tsars. Industrial workers faced atrocities from the capitalists who paid them very low. Workers were exploited. They were made to do long hours of work and paid less. They worked under unhealthy conditions which caused them health problems.

8. Explain the development of Russian Social Democratic Labour Party?

During the rule of tsars, condition of industrial workers was pathetic. They strongly felt the need to unite to fight against the atrocities of the tsars and capitalists. Since any kind of organized movement was opposed by the Tsars, they had to work covert. Thus small unions joined together to form the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party in 1898.

9. Discuss about the military setback during imperialist rule?

Wrong imperialist policies drew Russia into many wars. Failure in wars created financial burden to Russia. Russian economy faced a massive blow due to their wrong military decisions. Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905 in which Russia was defeated became a national insult to Russians. It led to economic crisis and closure of many factories.

10. Why was the massacre of 1905 called ‘The Bloody Sunday’?

Workers led by Father Gapon marched to the royal palace in St. Petersberg to put forth their grievance before the emperor. Soldiers of the emperor attacked the protesters which created bloodshed. This event which created slaughter and violence took place on 22^nd January, 1905 that happened to be a Sunday, which gave this massacre the name ‘Bloody Sunday’.

11. Explain the formation of Duma?

Duma was the Russian Parliament. The State Duma was introduced in 1906 and was Russia's first elected parliament. It was the relentless demand for a democratic administration which finally led to the formation of Duma. Its first opening session was held on 10^th May, 1906.

12. Enlist a few reasons for the defeat of Russia in the First World War?

 I.    Military flaws:

      a.    Errors in military strategy.
      b.    Mismanagement in war
      c.    Disloyalty among army members
     d.    Ill-trained and undisciplined soldiers
     e.    Reluctance among soldiers to go to the war front.

II.    Administration flaws:
     a.    Disruption in bread supply due to failure of transportation system

13. Why was Kerensky government not acceptable to Russians’?

To satisfy the demands of upraised mass of strikers; a provisional government comprising of moderates represented by landowners, capitalists, manufacturing and professional classes was set up which was headed by Menshevik leader Kerensky. Kerensky government was not accepted because in the war with Germany, Russia suffered a massive setback.

14. Explain briefly the first phase of revolution?

The revolution began with a workers’ strike in Petrograd on February 1917. The soldiers also supported the strikers. The tsars were made to relinquish their throne on 15th March, 1917. A temporary government under the leadership of Menshevik leader Kerensky was formed. The war with Germany continued under his leadership. The defeat with Germany created discontent among the masses and workers of the country united to form their own ‘soviets’ on the model of Petrograd and started agitation against the new government.

15. Explain briefly second phase of the revolution?

The second phase of revolution was marked by the return of Bolshevik leader Lenin from his exile from Switzerland back to Russia.  His return facilitated co-operation of Germans. With the help of Trotsky and other like- minded leaders, Soviets’ activities were reorganized.  A fight broke out between Mensheviks and Bolsheviks under the leadership of Kerensky and Lenin respectively. On 7^th November, 1917 Bolsheviks declared Kerensky government removed from power.

16. Enlist the programme of Bolsheviks?

      a.    To end the war and make immediate peace
      b.    Confiscation of land and estates
      c.    Giving power to Soviets.
     d.    Bolshevik government signed armistice with Germany.
     e.    National reconstruction was carried out with outmost sincerity.

17.  What was the contribution of Lenin to Russian Revolution?

Lenin worked hard to establish social equality and standard of living of workers. His government nationalised all means of production to quicken industrialization. Lenin’s policies included state control over labour, state distribution of  goods etc. He also introduced New Economic Policy which was a temporary compromise between capitalism and communism.

18. Enlist few events to prove the Russian influence over India?

      a.    Russian experiment of economic planning greatly influenced Jawaharlal Nehru which made him introduce it in India.
      b.    Bhagat Singh was influenced by the socialist philosophy and Russian revolution.
      c.    Lenin was impressed by the joint action of Mumbai workers as a protest to the imprisonment of Lokamanya Tilak.

19. Explain the work of Joseph Stalin?

Stalin was a follower of Lenin and a supreme leader of Communist Party. Realising the fact that communism was fading he tried to perpetuate socialism in Russia. Collective farming was a novel feature of his first 5 year plan. He used coercive methods which forced peasants to join the collective farms. Russia emerged as a powerful country under his leadership. He suppressed people to fulfil his ideologies.

20. Write a short note on significance of Russian revolution?

Russian revolution was the first communist revolution. It paved way for the improvement of condition of workers all over the world. Russian revolution introduced the concept of planned economic development and welfare state.