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Socialism in Europe and Russian Revolution CLASS 9

1) Socialism emerged in the 19th century as an ideology that called for public rather than private ownership of resources and equal distribution of wealth. 2) In Europe, socialists like Robert Owen, Louis Blanc, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels advocated for different versions of socialism, ranging from cooperative communities to communist revolutions. 3) Socialist ideas spread widely by the 1870s, with international organizations and political parties forming across Europe to advocate for workers' rights and better living conditions. However, socialists did not take power in European governments until the Russian Revolution of 1917 brought them to power.

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Abhinav Gulia
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586 views

Socialism in Europe and Russian Revolution CLASS 9

1) Socialism emerged in the 19th century as an ideology that called for public rather than private ownership of resources and equal distribution of wealth. 2) In Europe, socialists like Robert Owen, Louis Blanc, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Engels advocated for different versions of socialism, ranging from cooperative communities to communist revolutions. 3) Socialist ideas spread widely by the 1870s, with international organizations and political parties forming across Europe to advocate for workers' rights and better living conditions. However, socialists did not take power in European governments until the Russian Revolution of 1917 brought them to power.

Uploaded by

Abhinav Gulia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Socialism in Europe and Russian Revolution

Introduction:

What is Socialism?
An ideology according to which all the resources, money, industries, land, of the society
should be divided equally within all the people.

Recall the story of French Revolution. Ideas of liberty, Equality & Democratic Rights.

People started discussing the possibilities These ideas of French revolution created a
for change. Possibility of change in the society.

But the idea of change varied all over Europe.


 Some wanted gradual change, where as some wanted the change radically.
 So, we can say that there was different political tradition such as ‘Conservatives’ ‘Liberals’ and ‘Radicals’.

Liberals:
(higher class of society)
Wanted change in society in following ways:
 Equality among religions and nations should tolerate all religions.
 Opposed the uncontrolled power of dynastic ruler.
 Liberals believed that individual’s rights should be protected against government.
 Argued for representative, elected parliamentary government.
 Supported judiciary which must be well trained and independent.
However, they were not Democrats:
Because they did not believe in Universal adult Franchise and only men with property should have right to
vote.

Radicals:
(lower class of society)
 Wanted a government which must be based on majority.
 They supported Women’s suffragette movements.
 They opposed the privileges of great landowners and wealthy factory owners.
Because, they disliked concentration of property in few hands.
Because this was creating disparity in the society.
(They wanted Radical change)

Conservatives:
(ruling class and aristocrats)
They were the people in power who opposed change.
But after French revolution they were ready for change.
Because they understood change was inevitable.
But they believed that their past had to be respected and change had to be brought about through a slow
process.
The coming of socialism:
The idea of socialism

By mid-19th century the idea of Socialism attracted widespread attention and those who followed this idea
came to be known as SOCIALISTS.
Socialists were against private property, they considered private property as the root of all problems in the
society.
 Individuals own property [Private Property] and workers work under them.

But they were concerned with personal gains (profits) only and not with the welfare of the one who made
the property productive (workers).
*Socialists wanted a society as a whole should control the property.*
Main socialists:
 Robert Owen
 Louis Blanc
 Karl Marx
 Friedrich Engels

Ideas of Robert Owen and Louis Blanc:


Different socialists had different ideas for the future. > some believed in the idea of cooperatives.
Cooperatives= Association of people, working together > Earning profit and dividing profit according to
work done.
Robert Owen (1771-1858) Louis Blanc (1813-1882)
 Sought to build a cooperative community. He supported govt. encouraged cooperatives.
 New Harmony in Indiana (U.S.A) To replace Capitalist Enterprise.
 Through collective individual initiation. Govt. should be there to facilitate cooperatives.

Ideas of Karl Mark and Friedrich Engels:


They added some more arguments in the idea of Socialism.
 Industrial society >> ‘Capitalist’

 Owners invested capital in factories and profit was produced by workers.


 But the profit goes into the hands of the owner and the condition of worker would
remain the same [main motive is personal gain not the welfare of the workers].

Marx believed that workers are required to free themselves from capitalist’s exploitation, workers had to
construct a radically socialist society.
How???
By overthrowing rule of private property and controlling the property socially = Communist Society.
Support for Socialism:
 By 1870’s > Socialist ideas spread through Europe.

Formation of International Body = Second International

 Similar association were being formed everywhere in the world.


Germany England France

Working closely with SPD Labour Party 1905 Socialist Party


Social Democratic Party

 These socialist associations fight for better living and working conditions, set up funds to help members,
demand a reduction of working hours and right to vote.
 However, till 1914 Socialist never succeeded in forming of a Government in Europe.

But their ideas did shape the legislation.


 Under the government run by conservatives, Liberals and Radicals.

The Russian Revolution:

Russia > Fall of monarchy in February 1917 > Socialists took over the Govt. in Russia through the October
Revolution of 1917.

The Russian Empire in 1914:

Emperor Tsar Nicholas II [Russia and its empire]

Present day Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, parts of Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia,
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

A lot of heterogeneity in Russia was present

Majority religion was Russian Orthodox Christianity, Empire also included Catholics, protestants,
Muslims and Buddhists.

Russian Economy:
It was mainly a Agriculturist economy [85 percent population was engaged in the Agriculture Sector]

Cultivators produced for market as well as their own needs.


Industry was found in pockets.
 Petersburg and Moscow were the major industrial areas. But most of the production was carried by
craftsmen.
1890’s Railway expanded Foreign investment increased = Industries increased.
 Coal production doubled and iron & steel output quadrupled.

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