Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution – Class 9 CBSE Notes

1. Introduction

In the 18th and 19th centuries, new ideas about freedom, equality, and rights spread in Europe after the French Revolution.
Not everyone agreed with capitalism — some wanted a society where wealth was shared equally.
These ideas gave rise to socialism and later shaped the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Liberals: Wanted change through gradual reforms, supported private property, and favored parliamentary government.
Radicals: Wanted major changes quickly, opposed privileges of landowners, and supported workers.
Conservatives: Believed in preserving traditional institutions like monarchy and church.
Different groups debated how society should be organized.

Socialism = belief that wealth should be shared and production controlled by society, not individuals.
Early socialists: Robert Owen (set up cooperative community in New Harmony, USA), Louis Blanc (wanted state-funded workshops for employment).
19th-century: Many socialist associations and parties were formed in Europe.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels developed scientific socialism.
They wrote The Communist Manifesto (1848).
Key ideas:
- Industrial society is based on the exploitation of workers by capitalists.
- Workers should unite, overthrow capitalism, and build a classless society.
- Property should belong to the community.

Russia was ruled by the Tsar (autocratic emperor) with absolute power.
Society was unequal:
- Nobility & clergy were privileged.
- Peasants (majority) were poor and heavily taxed.
- Industrial workers lived in miserable conditions.
Socialists in Russia wanted workers and peasants to control property.
Important socialist parties:
- Mensheviks: Believed in mass membership and gradual change.
- Bolsheviks (led by Lenin): Wanted a small, disciplined party to lead workers to revolution.

Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05).
Discontent grew due to food shortages and poor working conditions.
On “Bloody Sunday” (22 January 1905), workers protesting in Petrograd were shot by Tsar’s troops.
This led to strikes and uprisings → Tsar allowed a Parliament (Duma) but kept it weak.

World War I created food shortages, inflation, and loss of soldiers.
In February 1917, workers in Petrograd went on strike → joined by soldiers.
Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate.
A Provisional Government was formed but failed to solve key issues (war, land reforms, food).

Lenin and the Bolsheviks gained support with the slogan “Peace, Land, and Bread.”
In October 1917, Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government in Petrograd.
They set up a socialist government.

Land distributed among peasants.
Factories handed over to workers’ committees.
Russia withdrew from World War I (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, 1918).
Civil War followed (Bolsheviks/“Reds” vs opponents/“Whites”), but Bolsheviks won.
In 1922, Russia became the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

After Lenin’s death (1924), Joseph Stalin became leader.
Introduced Collectivisation (1929):
- Small farms merged into collective farms.
- Aim: increase food supply for industrial workers.
- Many peasants resisted, leading to hardships.
Stalin also pushed rapid industrialisation through Five-Year Plans.

The USSR became the world’s first socialist state.
Inspired workers, peasants, and anti-colonial struggles worldwide (including India).
Provided an alternative model to capitalism.