Socialist Movement and the Russian Revolution
The Industrial Revolution created an unequal society — poor workers and rich capitalists.
This inequality inspired ideas of equality, freedom, and democracy, leading to the rise of socialism.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were the main thinkers of socialism.
In Marx’s book Das Capital, he said that history is a history of class struggle between workers and capitalists.
Marx believed capitalism would end, and socialism would lead to an equal society where the state controls production.
The Russian Revolution was the first practical example of socialism in action.
Before the revolution, Russia was poor and agrarian, ruled by an autocratic Tsar.
The Revolution of 1905 created a Duma (assembly), but rights were still limited, and unrest continued.
In 1917, another revolution occurred due to:
Harsh rule of Tsar Nicholas II
Poor living and working conditions
High taxes and lack of political rights
Losses in World War I (ill-equipped army, famine, inflation)