Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution – Case-based Questions with Answers

CBSE Class 9 — Socialism in Europe & Russian Revolution — 20 Case-Based Questions

CBSE Board Examinations — How these Case-Based Questions help

Practice extract/case-style questions commonly found in board exams.
Each case presents a short source or scenario followed by clear, focused questions and answers.

Content Bank

Topics covered: The age of social change; The Russian Revolution; The February Revolution in Petrograd; What changed after October; Global influence of the Revolution and the USSR.

The Age of Social Change — (Cases 1–4)

Case 1: A factory town bulletin reports repeated strikes over low wages and unsafe working hours. The workers appeal to an organiser who distributes pamphlets about collective action.

Q1. What role did trade unions and pamphlets play in shaping worker politics?

A1. Trade unions organised collective bargaining and strikes to demand better pay and conditions; pamphlets spread ideas, informed workers of rights and mobilised support—together they politicised workers and built bases for socialist movements.

Case 2: An intellectual club debates how to address the glaring inequality between factory owners and labourers. Some members propose state intervention while others call for worker-led expropriation.

Q2. Contrast reformist and revolutionary socialist solutions suggested in the case.

A2. Reformists favour state regulation and legal protections (e.g., labour laws, welfare) to gradually reduce inequality; revolutionaries argue for direct overthrow of capitalist ownership and collective control—both aim to improve workers’ lives but differ in method and pace.

Case 3: A newspaper letter from a factory worker mentions the term 'bourgeoisie' and complains about owners' profits while workers 'barely survive'.

Q3. Explain the meaning of 'bourgeoisie' and why the worker uses the term critically.

A3. 'Bourgeoisie' refers to the capitalist class owning means of production. The worker uses it critically because bourgeois profits come from surplus value created by workers, highlighting exploitation and class division central to socialist critique.

Case 4: A town with rising literacy rates shows more attendance at clubs that discuss rights and workplace laws.

Q4. Why did rising literacy and clubs aid the spread of socialist ideas?

A4. Literacy enabled workers to read pamphlets and newspapers; clubs provided spaces to discuss grievances and organise. Together they created informed, networked communities ready for collective political action.

Russian Context & Causes — (Cases 5–8)

Case 5: A peasant writes that despite owning a plot, heavy taxes and low yields leave the family hungry. The landlord still claims traditional dues.

Q5. How did peasant land issues contribute to revolutionary sentiment?

A5. Land hunger and burdens of dues created resentment against landed elites; demands for redistribution were central to peasant support for revolutionary change, making land reform a key political issue.

Case 6: A soldier returning from the front describes lack of food, poor equipment and fatal battles with no clear leadership.

Q6. In what ways did World War I exacerbate Russia's internal crises?

A6. WWI caused massive casualties, supply breakdowns, economic strain and demoralised troops—these factors intensified domestic unrest and eroded support for the Tsarist regime, contributing directly to revolutionary conditions.

Case 7: A liberal politician welcomes the Duma but admits it lacks real power because the Tsar still appoints ministers and dissolves sessions.

Q7. Why was the Duma insufficient to prevent revolution?

A7. The Duma was limited by the Tsar’s retained powers and conservative resistance; its constrained authority meant it could not implement deep reforms, leaving popular grievances unaddressed and the political system fragile.

Case 8: Two socialist groups argue publicly; one demands immediate worker control of factories, the other wants broader alliances with liberals.

Q8. How did factional differences among socialists shape revolutionary strategy?

A8. Factional splits (e.g., Bolsheviks vs Mensheviks) produced different strategies: centralised, decisive action vs broader coalition-building. These differences affected organisational strength and the ability to seize opportunities in 1917.

The February Revolution (Petrograd) — (Cases 9–12)

Case 9: Women textile workers march demanding bread and shorter hours; the crowds grow and workers join in.

Q9. What does the mobilisation of women workers show about the nature of the February protests?

A9. It shows the protests were broad-based, driven by immediate economic hardships like food shortages; women played a crucial initiating role, and the movement quickly gained mass participation across social groups.

Case 10: Reports say soldiers refused to fire on demonstrators and joined soviet meetings instead.

Q10. Why was the soldiers’ refusal to act decisive in the fall of the Tsar?

A10. The Tsar relied on military force; when soldiers mutinied or sympathised with protesters, the regime lost its ability to suppress unrest, leading to collapse of autocratic rule and the Tsar’s abdication.

Case 11: A leaflet from the Provisional Government promises civil liberties but delays land reform.

Q11. Why did the Provisional Government’s cautious policies create political problems?

A11. Promising liberties but delaying key demands (like land redistribution and peace) alienated peasants and soldiers; the government lacked decisive actions to solve urgent problems, weakening legitimacy.

Case 12: A factory soviet publishes a list of demands including an end to the war and higher wages.

Q12. How did soviets represent a new form of political organisation?

A12. Soviets were grassroots councils reflecting workers’ and soldiers’ interests; they coordinated actions, articulated demands and provided alternative authority to the Provisional Government, shaping revolutionary politics.

What Changed After October — (Cases 13–16)

Case 13: The Bolshevik newspaper proclaims 'Peace, Land and Bread' and organises workers to seize key stations.

Q13. Why were these slogans effective and what immediate actions followed?

A13. The slogans addressed urgent popular needs—ending war, land for peasants, food for cities—making Bolshevik promises credible. Immediate actions included seizing communication hubs, arresting provisional ministers and proclaiming Soviet power, enabling rapid transfer of authority.

Case 14: A peasant describes receiving redistributed land; a factory worker notes factories placed under 'workers' committees'.

Q14. What were the social and economic effects of early Bolshevik policies?

A14. Land redistribution satisfied peasants; workers’ control aimed to democratise industry. However, civil war, requisitioning and economic disruption produced shortages and hardship, complicating the intended outcomes.

Case 15: A merchant records the closure of markets and difficulty trading during War Communism.

Q15. How did War Communism affect trade and peasant relations?

A15. War Communism involved requisitioning grain and nationalising major enterprises—this disrupted markets, alienated peasants who resisted requisitions, and prompted economic decline that later led to the NEP.

Case 16: Reports indicate suppression of rival parties and tight control over the press.

Q16. Why did Bolshevik leaders suppress political opposition, and what were the consequences?

A16. Leaders argued suppression was necessary to defend the Revolution from internal and external enemies—resulting in centralised power, reduced political pluralism and use of coercive institutions that undermined democratic ideals.

Global Influence of the Revolution & the USSR — (Cases 17–20)

Case 17: An Indian student in the 1920s reads translated Bolshevik pamphlets and begins to argue for land reform and anti-colonial unity.

Q17. How did the Russian Revolution influence anti-colonial leaders and movements?

A17. The Revolution offered an example of overthrowing imperial structures and inspired leaders to adopt socialist ideas about land, workers' rights and state-led development; Soviet support and rhetoric also provided ideological backing for anti-colonial struggles.

Case 18: A Western intellectual praises rapid industrialisation in the USSR but later criticises political repression he observes.

Q18. Why did opinions about the USSR vary among Western observers?

A18. Some admired achievements in literacy, healthcare and industrial growth; others condemned authoritarianism, lack of freedom and human costs—thus views ranged from idealisation to critical scepticism.

Case 19: A communist party abroad receives training materials and advice from Soviet contacts in the 1930s.

Q19. In what practical ways did the USSR support international communist movements?

A19. Support included ideological training (Comintern), funding, organisational guidance and sometimes material assistance—helping parties build networks and coordinate strategies internationally.

Case 20: A post‑war historian notes that the USSR’s model influenced state-led development policies in many newly independent countries.

Q20. How did Soviet economic and political models shape development strategies in the twentieth century?

A20. The Soviet emphasis on planned economy, industrialisation and state control influenced newly independent states to adopt state-led development, nationalisation and welfare policies—though outcomes varied and debates about efficiency vs equity persisted.

Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution – Case-based Questions with Answers

CBSE Class 9 — History

The Age of Social Change — (Cases 1–4)

Russian Context & Causes — (Cases 5–8)

The February Revolution (Petrograd) — (Cases 9–12)

What Changed After October — (Cases 13–16)

Global Influence of the Revolution & the USSR — (Cases 17–20)

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