Bolsheviks and Mensheviks were two factions of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP), which was founded in 1898. These factions emerged due to differing ideological and strategic views regarding the party's goals and methods. While they shared some common ground, they ultimately diverged in their approaches, leading to significant differences between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.

1. Origins and Membership
- The Bolsheviks were led by Vladimir Lenin, who advocated for a more radical and revolutionary approach to achieving socialism. They attracted workers, peasants, and intellectuals who believed in the need for a violent overthrow of the existing order.
- The Mensheviks, on the other hand, were led by Julius Martov and represented a more moderate faction within the party. They believed in a gradual transition towards socialism and sought to work within the existing political system. They had a broader base of support, including intellectuals, trade unionists, and socialist reformers.

2. Ideological Differences
- The Bolsheviks believed in the necessity of a vanguard party, composed of professional revolutionaries, to lead the working class in the struggle for socialism. They sought to establish a centralized and disciplined party structure with strict ideological adherence.
- The Mensheviks, in contrast, advocated for a more inclusive and democratic party structure. They believed in the importance of mass participation and the need to collaborate with other socialist groups and parties. They rejected the idea of a vanguard party and instead emphasized the role of the working class as a whole.

3. Strategy and Tactics
- The Bolsheviks advocated for a violent revolution and the overthrow of the Tsarist regime, leading to the establishment of a proletarian dictatorship. They believed in the necessity of armed struggle and the formation of a revolutionary army to achieve their goals.
- The Mensheviks, however, favored a more peaceful and gradual approach. They sought to build alliances with other progressive forces, such as the liberal bourgeoisie, to bring about social and political reforms. They believed in the importance of parliamentary democracy and legal political activities.

4. Attitudes towards the Masses
- The Bolsheviks had a more elitist and centralized approach, believing that the masses needed to be led by a disciplined and centralized party. They saw the working class as the primary revolutionary force, with the party acting as its vanguard.
- The Mensheviks, on the other hand, had a more inclusive and democratic outlook. They believed in the importance of mass participation and the need to educate and organize the working class. They saw the party's role as facilitating the development of the workers' movement rather than leading it.

In summary, the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks differed in their ideological perspectives, strategies, and attitudes towards the masses. The Bolsheviks were more radical, advocating for a violent revolution and the establishment of a proletarian dictatorship, while the Mensheviks were more moderate, favoring a gradual transition towards socialism and collaboration with other socialist groups.

Bolsheviks believed in the necessity of a revolution led and controlled by the proletariat only , where ar Mensheviks capitalists and was necessary .