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Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Notes: CBSE History Chapter 2

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History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Notes Notes - FREE PDF Download

Vedantu’s Note for Class 9 Social Science History (India and the Contemporary World-I) Chapter 2, Students learn about the rise of socialism in Europe and how it led to the Russian Revolution. Socialism started as a response to the problems caused by industrial capitalism, which created inequality and unfair conditions for many people. This chapter covers how socialist ideas grew in popularity, the key figures behind them, and how these ideas led to major changes in Russia. The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a significant event that changed history, and understanding it will help you see how political ideas can shape the world. Vedantu makes it easier for students to see the lessons and ideas in the Class 9 History Notes.

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Table of Content
1. History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Notes Notes - FREE PDF Download
2. Access Class 9 History Chapter 2 Notes Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
    2.1The Three Political Paradigms
    2.2The Problems with Industrialisation
    2.3The Emergence of Socialism
    2.4Socialist Revolution in Russia
    2.5The 1905 Revolution
    2.6The February Revolution
    2.7Social Change in Europe
    2.8Russian Revolution and India
    2.9What Changed after October?
    2.10The Civil War
    2.11Making a Socialist Society
    2.12A Turbulent Time: The 1905 Revolution
    2.13The First World War and the Russian Empire
    2.14The February Revolution in Petrograd
    2.15Some Important Questions and Answers
    2.16The outcomes of the Russian Revolution were:
3. 5 Important Topics of Social Science History Class 9 Chapter 2 you shouldn’t Miss!
4. Importance of History Chapter 2 Socialism In Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Revision Notes 
5. Tips for Learning the Class 9 History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
6. Related Study Materials for Class 9 History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
7. Revision Notes Links for Class 9 History
8. Important Study Materials For Class 9 Social Science
FAQs


Students can download Chapter 2 Socialism In Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Notes PDF, making it simple to study and review whenever you need with the updated CBSE Social Science Class 9 Syllabus.

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Access Class 9 History Chapter 2 Notes Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

The Three Political Paradigms

After the French Revolution, there was an emergence of new paradigms that were new to the political sphere of the period at that time. They were:


  • Conservatives

  • Liberals

  • Radicals


The Problems with Industrialisation

Before industrialisation in Europe, the people were no longer able to sustain their livelihood using traditional farming and agriculture methods. Growing population, constant wars, monarchy, etc. were causing the living standard of the people in Europe to decline.


People came in lots to work in the industries due to which wages were very low.

Due to urbanisation, problems arose due to housing and sanitation.

The liberals and radicals wanted solutions for such issues.


The Emergence of Socialism

The socialists promoted the ownership of properties to communities as they thought the privately owned properties were crony. Some socialists were Robert Owen, Louis Blanc, etc. who supported the formation of cooperatives dismantling the privately owned industries.


Karl Marx noted that the profit that was made by the owners was due to the hard work of the workers. He thought that the prevention of the accumulation of wealth needed to be done and dreamt of a world where the society was rich as a whole.


Socialist Revolution in Russia

  • In the early 20th century, Russia had a monarchical system.

  • Tsar Nicholas was the last emperor of the Russian Empire. 

  • The industries were only in major cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow.

  • Workers were made to suffer by the industry owners.

  • Workers were also divided but came together to protest.


The 1905 Revolution

In 1904, inflation made the wages of the Russian workers effectively meagre.


The Putilov Iron Works fired 4 workers who were a part of the Assembly of Russian Workers.


Hence, approximately 110000 workers went on strike and gathered in St Petersburg. When they reached the Winter Palace, they were fired at, and about 100 of them were killed.


Due to protests, the Tsar allowed the formation of the parliament, called the Duma.


The February Revolution

  • Due to the Russian involvement in World War, the industries failed to survive and the railways disintegrated.

  • The young men were forced to fight the war, and the small workshops and farming too suffered from the loss of workers.

  • The women played an active part in these strikes. The workers surrounded the Winter Palace but the soldiers did not fire at them.

  • With the soldiers, the workers formed a Soviet in the parliament.

  • In 1917, the Tsar relinquished his authority.


Social Change in Europe

A lot of changes started taking place in Europe after the French Revolution. People were inspired by the ideals of equality, justice, and liberty. They started feeling that the government should work differently. The notes of History Class 9 Chapter 2 PDF tell you that while some wanted the monarchical form, some wanted democratic principles.


The three main groups were:


The Liberalists:

  • These people wanted a change in their society. They wanted a nation which was tolerant of religion.

  • They wanted to safeguard the rights of the citizens and wanted a Parliamentary Government.

  • They were not Democrats and did not want a universal franchise.


The Radicals:

  • Radicals wanted an elected government by the citizens of the country.

  • They supported women’s right to vote.

  • They were against the factory owners and landowners.


The Conservatives:

  • They opposed all the ideologies and views of the radicals and the liberals.

  • They wanted the wealthy class to continue enjoying their privileges and facilities.

  • They wanted a gradual change in society and respected the past.


Russian Revolution and India

  1. India was impacted by the Russian Revolution. People from all over India took part in Communist Universities.

  2. India formed its Communist Party in the mid-1920s.

  3. Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru wrote about Soviet Socialism.

  4. Various Indian writers wrote about the Russian Revolution.

  5. Several prominent leaders from India visited Russia to learn about the principles of Socialism.


What Changed after October?

In November 1917, following the October Revolution, the new Soviet government took significant steps to reshape Russian society and economy. Industry and banks were nationalised, meaning the government assumed ownership and control. Land was declared social property, allowing peasants to seize land from the nobility. The Bolshevik Party was renamed the Russian Communist Party (Bolshevik).


Elections were held for the Constituent Assembly in November 1917, but the Bolsheviks did not secure a majority. In January 1918, the Assembly rejected Bolshevik policies, leading Lenin to dissolve it. Despite opposition, in March 1918, the Bolsheviks signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, making peace with Germany. The Bolsheviks also participated in elections for the All-Russian Congress of Soviets, which became the country’s Parliament. Russia transformed into a one-party state. Post-October 1917, there were experiments in arts and architecture, but many became disillusioned due to the Party’s censorship.


The Civil War

The disintegration of the Russian Army led to the formation of opposition groups. The ‘Greens’ (Socialist Revolutionaries) and the ‘Whites’ (pro-Tsarists), supported by French, American, British, and Japanese troops, fought the Bolsheviks (the ‘Reds’) in a civil war during 1918 and 1919. By January 1920, the Bolsheviks had control over most of the former Russian Empire. In their effort to protect socialism, Bolshevik forces committed severe atrocities against local nationalists. Non-Russian nationalities were granted political autonomy within the Soviet Union (USSR), the state formed by the Bolsheviks in December 1922.


Making a Socialist Society

Throughout the civil war, industries and banks remained nationalised, while peasants were allowed to farm the land. The government introduced a centralised planning system, with officials setting economic targets for five-year periods to guide the country’s development.


A Turbulent Time: The 1905 Revolution

  • Russia at the Turn of the Century: At the dawn of the 20th century, Russia remained an autocracy with the Tsar holding absolute power and not being accountable to Parliament. The 1905 Revolution was a pivotal moment in Russian history, driven by widespread discontent among peasants, workers, and political groups like the Social Democrats and Socialist Revolutionaries, who all sought a constitution.

  • Workers' Struggles: In 1904, the situation for Russian workers worsened as the prices of essential goods rose while real wages fell by 20%. Workers went on strike, demanding an eight-hour workday, better wages, and improved working conditions. The situation escalated when a peaceful procession to the Winter Palace was violently suppressed by the police and Cossacks. This event, known as Bloody Sunday, triggered a series of upheavals leading to the 1905 Revolution. In response, the Tsar allowed the establishment of an elected consultative Parliament, or Duma. However, after 1905, many committees and unions operated underground as they were declared illegal.


The First World War and the Russian Empire

  • Outbreak of War: In 1914, World War I erupted between two major alliances: the Central Powers (Germany, Austria, and Turkey) and the Allied Powers (France, Britain, and Russia, later joined by Italy and Romania). The war was initially met with enthusiasm but soon revealed its harsh realities.

  • Impact on Russia: The war had a devastating impact on Russia. Between 1914 and 1916, the Russian army suffered significant defeats against Germany and Austria. To hinder the enemy, Russian forces destroyed crops and infrastructure, which, combined with German control of the Baltic Sea, led to severe shortages of industrial goods. By 1916, railway disruptions worsened the supply crisis, leading to severe bread and flour shortages in cities. Riots over food became increasingly common by the winter of 1916.


The February Revolution in Petrograd

Petrograd, the Russian capital, was deeply affected by the ongoing war and economic hardship. The February Revolution began with widespread unrest and strikes, culminating in the collapse of the Tsarist regime and paving the way for significant political change in Russia.


Some Important Questions and Answers

  1. What happened after the February Revolution?

Ans: The February Revolution led to the following changes in Russia:

Public meetings and associations became legal.

The Bolshevik leader, Vladimir Lenin returned in 1917. 

The number of trade unions increased drastically.

The Military Revolutionary Committee fought against the forces of the government.

On 24th October 1917, the Prime Minister left the city to accumulate the forces. 

In December 1917, the Bolsheviks had become victorious.


  1. What changes did the Bolsheviks implement after October?

Ans: Bolsheviks implemented the following changes after the October Revolution:

The land was declared a social property.

The peasants took over the lands from the aristocrats.

Nationalisation took place in all spheres.

Lenin dismissed the assembly after losing the elections.


  1. Why did the civil war take place in Russia after the October Revolution?

Ans: The civil war broke out in Russia after the October Revolution due to the following reasons:

  • The tyrant acts of the Bolsheviks like censorship, one-party rule, etc. made others dissatisfied.

  • Aristocrats were also angry with the Bolsheviks due to their attitude towards land ownership.


  1. How did the Bolsheviks transform Russia into a Socialist Society?

Ans: Russia became a socialist society as:

  • All the industries and banks were nationalised.

  • All the land was socialised.

  • The government regulated the prices.

  • Healthcare became cheaper.

  • Modern education was imparted to all children.


  1. How did the Russian Revolution influence the world?

Ans: The Russian Revolution saw the formation of a socialist government in Europe for the first time. This instilled a belief in other countries that the socialists could also form governments and led to the emergence of multiple socialist parties in the rest of Europe.


The outcomes of the Russian Revolution were:

  • The collapse of the Czars and the Russian Empire.

  • Nicholas II was forced to leave the throne due to food shortage and chronic civil unrest.

  • Bolsheviks were then led by Vladimir.

  • The remains of the mutated body of Czar Nicholas II and his family were discovered later in the 1970s.

  • War started between the Reds and the Whites which was known as the Civil War.

  • Socialism arose in Russia.

  • Russia withdrew its name from World War 1

  • Independence of Finland, Baltics, and Poland.

  • Establishment of dictatorship.


5 Important Topics of Social Science History Class 9 Chapter 2 you shouldn’t Miss!

S. No

Topic Name

1

Emergence of Socialism

2

Impact of Industrialisation

3

Key Figures in Socialism

4

The Russian Revolution of 1917

5

Consequences of the Russian Revolution


Importance of History Chapter 2 Socialism In Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Revision Notes 

  • Class 9 History Chapter 2 Notes break down complex topics into concise summaries, making understanding and remembering key concepts easier.

  • They help simplify and explain challenging areas by highlighting essential points and providing straightforward explanations.

  • Regular review of revision notes reinforces learning and helps retain information more effectively.

  • Having all important information in one place allows for quicker and more focused study sessions, saving time.

  • Class 9 History Chapter 2 Notes emphasise major themes and concepts, ensuring that you concentrate on what is important for exams and overall understanding.


Tips for Learning the Class 9 History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

  • Start by grasping the basics of socialism and its goals. Know why it emerged and how it aimed to address the issues caused by industrial capitalism.

  • Learn about important figures like Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Vladimir Lenin. Understand their contributions to socialist thought and the Russian Revolution.

  • Break down the causes, events, and outcomes of the Russian Revolution. Pay attention to the role of the Bolsheviks and how the revolution changed Russia.

  • Compare the impact of socialism in different countries, particularly Europe and Russia. Understand the similarities and differences in how socialism influenced these regions.

  • Refer to your revision notes to review key points and summaries. They help consolidate your understanding and provide a quick reference for important information.

  • Use maps, timelines, and diagrams to visualise the events and changes discussed in the chapter. This can help you better understand the historical context.


Conclusion

From Class 9 History Chapter 2 Notes, we learned how socialism emerged as a response to the problems caused by industrial capitalism. Socialism aimed to address issues of inequality by redistributing wealth and power more fairly. We saw how important figures like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels developed socialist ideas, and how these ideas influenced the Russian Revolution of 1917. Led by Vladimir Lenin, this revolution transformed Russia and had a major impact on the world.


Related Study Materials for Class 9 History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution


Revision Notes Links for Class 9 History


Important Study Materials For Class 9 Social Science

S. No

Related Study Materials Links for Class 9 History

1.

CBSE Class 9 History NCERT Solutions

2.

CBSE Class 9 History NCERT Important Questions

3.

CBSE Class 9 Social Science Sample Papers

4.

CBSE Class 9 Social Science Previous Year Question Paper

5.

CBSE Class 9 History NCERT Books 

FAQs on Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Class 9 Notes: CBSE History Chapter 2

1. What is socialism, and why did it emerge?

Socialism is an economic and political system that seeks to address the inequalities created by capitalism by redistributing wealth and power. It emerged in response to the harsh conditions faced by workers and the uneven distribution of wealth during the Industrial Revolution.

2. Who were the key figures in the development of socialism?

According to Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution notes, The key figures in the development of socialism include Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. They developed the ideas of socialism and communism, advocating for a society where wealth and power are more equally shared.

3. What was the Russian Revolution, and when did it occur?

The Russian Revolution was a series of political events that took place in 1917. It led to the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the establishment of a socialist government under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks.

4. What were the main causes of the Russian Revolution?

As discussed in Class 9 Ch 2 History notes, The main causes of the Russian Revolution included widespread discontent with the autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II, poor working conditions, economic hardships, and the impact of World War I on Russian society.

5. How did the Russian Revolution impact Russia and the world?

The Russian Revolution led to the establishment of a communist government in Russia, which significantly altered the country's political and social structures. It also had a global impact by inspiring other revolutionary movements and shaping international politics throughout the 20th century.

6. What were the key events of the Russian Revolution?

Key events of the Russian Revolution include the February Revolution, which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, and the October Revolution, which saw the Bolsheviks take control of the government.

7. What role did Vladimir Lenin play in the Russian Revolution?

Vladimir Lenin was a leading figure in the Russian Revolution. As the leader of the Bolshevik Party, he played a crucial role in the October Revolution, which led to the establishment of a socialist government in Russia.

8. How did socialism differ from capitalism?

Socialism differs from capitalism in that it advocates for the collective ownership of resources and means of production, aiming to reduce economic inequalities. In contrast, capitalism is based on private ownership and the profit motive, which can lead to greater economic disparities.

9. What were some of the key ideas of Karl Marx?

Karl Marx's key ideas included the concept of class struggle, the belief that history is driven by conflicts between social classes, and the vision of a communist society where the means of production are owned collectively, eliminating private property and class distinctions.

10. How did the ideas of socialism influence later political movements?

The ideas of socialism influenced numerous political movements and revolutions around the world, leading to the establishment of socialist and communist states. These ideas also contributed to the development of various forms of social and economic policies aimed at addressing inequality and improving workers' rights.