The Mensheviks and Bolshevik were factions within the Russian social democratic worker's party. They aimed to bring revolution to Russia by following, ideas of socialist theorectian Karl marx. One the Bolsheviks successfully seized power in the Russian revolution of 1917.

Bolsheviks and Mensheviks were two factions of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) that emerged in the early 1900s. The RSDLP was formed in 1898 with the aim of overthrowing the Tsarist regime and establishing a socialist state in Russia.

What were Bolsheviks?

The Bolsheviks were a faction of the RSDLP led by Vladimir Lenin. They believed in a tightly-knit, centralized party structure and a revolutionary strategy to overthrow the Tsarist government. They advocated for the establishment of a socialist state through a violent revolution, in which the working class would seize power and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat.

What were Mensheviks?

The Mensheviks were a faction of the RSDLP led by Julius Martov. They believed in a more democratic and decentralized party structure, with a broader membership and a more inclusive approach to socialist politics. They believed that a socialist state could be established through a gradual, evolutionary process, rather than through a violent revolution.

What were the differences between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks?

The main differences between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks were their approach to party organization, strategy for achieving socialism, and attitude towards the peasantry.

- Party organization: Bolsheviks believed in a tightly-knit and centralized party structure, while Mensheviks believed in a more democratic and decentralized party structure.

- Strategy for achieving socialism: Bolsheviks advocated for a violent revolution to overthrow the Tsarist regime and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, while Mensheviks believed in a gradual and evolutionary process to achieve socialism.

- Attitude towards the peasantry: Bolsheviks saw the peasantry as a hindrance to the revolution, while Mensheviks saw them as potential allies in the struggle for socialism.

Outcome of the Bolshevik-Menshevik split

The split between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks became irreconcilable in 1912, and the two factions became separate political parties. The Bolsheviks went on to lead the October Revolution of 1917 and established the Soviet Union, while the Mensheviks remained a minority party and were eventually suppressed by the Bolsheviks.