Bolsheviks

Quick Facts: Who was Bolsheviks?

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Bolsheviks

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Radical faction of the RSDLP, leading the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917.

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Origins & Early Life

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, were a radical faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) which split with the Mensheviks at the Second Party Congress in 1903. The Bolshevik party, formally established in 1912, seized power in Russia in the October Revolution of 1917 and was later renamed the Russian Communist Party, All-Union Communist Party, and ultimately the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Its ideology, based on Leninist and later Marxist–Leninist principles, became known as Bolshevism. The origin of the RSDLP split was Lenin's support for a smaller party of professional revolutionaries, as opposed to the Menshevik desire for a broad party membership. The influence of the factions fluctuated in the years up to 1912, when the RSDLP formally split in two.

Career & Major Achievements

The political philosophy of the Bolsheviks was based on the Leninist principles of vanguardism and democratic centralism. Lenin was also more willing to use illegal means such as robbery to fund the party's activities. By 1917, influenced by the experiences of World War I, he reached the conclusion that the chain of world capitalism could "break at its weakest link" in Russia before it assumed the level of the advanced countries, opposing theorists such as Georgi Plekhanov. Lenin had also come to view poorer peasants as potential allies of the relatively small Russian proletariat. After the February Revolution of 1917, Lenin returned to Russia and issued his April Theses, which called for "no support for the Provisional Government" and "all power to the soviets." During the summer of 1917, which saw events including the July Days and Kornilov affair, large numbers of radicalized workers joined the Bolsheviks, which planned the October Revolution that overthrew the government.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Bolsheviks initially governed in coalition with the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, but increasingly centralized power and suppressed opposition during the Russian Civil War. After 1921, it became the sole legal party in Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union. Under Joseph Stalin's leadership, Bolshevism became linked to his policies of "socialism in one country," rapid industrialization, collectivized agriculture, and centralized state control. Lenin's political pamphlet What Is to Be Done?, written in 1901, helped to precipitate the Bolsheviks' split from the Mensheviks. In Germany, the book was published in 1902, but in Russia, strict censorship outlawed its publication and distribution.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1901: 1901 Milestone — , written in 1901, helped to precipitate the Bolsheviks' split from the Mensheviks.
2. 1902: 1902 Milestone — In Germany, the book was published in 1902, but in Russia, strict censorship outlawed its publication and distribution.
3. 1903: 1903 Milestone — The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, were a radical faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) which split with the Mensheviks at the Second Party Congress in 1903.
4. 1912: 1912 Milestone — The Bolshevik party, formally established in 1912, seized power in Russia in the October Revolution of 1917 and was later renamed the Russian Communist Party, All-Union Communist Party, and ultimately the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
5. 1917: 1917 Milestone — By 1917, influenced by the experiences of World War I, he reached the conclusion that the chain of world capitalism could "break at its weakest link" in Russia before it assumed the level of the advanced countries, opposing theorists such as Georgi Plekhanov.
6. 1921: 1921 Milestone — After 1921, it became the sole legal party in Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union.

Notable Quotes by Bolsheviks

“A revolution can only be achieved by a strong, professional leadership with deep dedication to Marxist theoretical principles.” (1901)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bolsheviks

True or False: “The Bolsheviks immediately established the Communist Party of the Soviet Union upon seizing power in 1917.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The party went through several name changes after 1917, including the Russian Communist Party and All-Union Communist Party, before becoming the CPSU.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bolsheviks