Title Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution.pdf ✅

HISTORY Chapter 2: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
(1) SOCIALISM IN EUROPE AND THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 02 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Social Changes in Europe Many social changes were taking place in Europe in the eighteenth century. The French Revolution inspired the people with the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice. Many people had different views about how the Government should work and about the rights of people. While some people wanted the establishment of democratic principles, the others supported the monarchical form of the government. The three main groups of people at this time were The Liberalists • They wanted a change in society. They wanted nations to be tolerant of all religions. • They believed in safeguarding the rights of people against the Government. They also argued for elected Parliamentarian Government. • The liberals however were not democrats as they did not favour the principle of universal adult franchise. They were in favour of voting only by men and the propertied class. The Radicals
(2) SOCIALISM IN EUROPE AND THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 02 • The radicals wanted a government duly elected by the majority of the country’s population. • Many radicals supported women’s movements to achieve voting rights.w • They opposed the privileges enjoyed by landowners and wealthy factory owners. • They were not against the notion of private property but were against the concentration of money in the hands of few sections of society. The Conservatives • The conservatives opposed the views and ideologies of the liberals and the radicals. • They believed in the privileges enjoyed by the nobility and the wealthy class. However, after the French Revolution, conservatives believed in bringing changes at a slow pace in society. • The conservatives believed that the past should be respected and changes in society should be made gradually. Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution first began in the eighteenth century in England. Later, it spread to the other parts of Europe. Industrialisation also resulted in large-scale migration of people from the villages to the cities in search of work opportunities. Workers worked for long hours at extremely low wages. Housing and sanitation facilities were not given to workers. Unemployment was also growing. The Coming of Socialism in Europe
(3) SOCIALISM IN EUROPE AND THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 02 • By the mid-nineteenth century, ideas of socialism had become well known in Europe. Socialists believed that factory owners earned profits because of the hard work being put in by workers, but the factory owners did nothing to look after the welfare of workers. • Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were well-known socialists who believed that the profits earned by factory owners are produced by workers. Marx contented that all property should be owned by society. Such societies would be communist societies. • These ideas spread to Europe by the mid-nineteenth century. Socialists over different regions formed the Second International to coordinate their efforts to spread socialist ideas. • In Germany, the Socialist Democratic Party was formed. Socialist Party was formed in France and Labour Party was formed in Britain. These parties were however not able to form governments in their countries. The Russian Revolution Conditions in Russia on the Eve of the RussianRevolution • Russia was ruled by Tsar Nicholas II.