History The Russian Revolution Questions Medium
The Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks were two major factions within the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) during the early 20th century. While both groups shared the goal of overthrowing the Tsarist regime and establishing a socialist society, they differed in their ideologies, strategies, and approaches to achieving this goal.
1. Ideological Differences:
The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, advocated for a more radical and revolutionary approach to socialism. They believed in a tightly organized and disciplined party, composed of professional revolutionaries, who would lead the working class in a violent overthrow of the capitalist system. The Bolsheviks aimed for a centralized and dictatorial form of government, with power concentrated in the hands of the proletariat.
On the other hand, the Mensheviks, led by Julius Martov, were more moderate and believed in a gradualist approach to socialism. They argued for a broader and more inclusive party, open to all workers, intellectuals, and even liberal bourgeoisie. The Mensheviks favored a democratic and decentralized government, with power shared among various social classes.
2. Strategies and Tactics:
The Bolsheviks believed in the necessity of a small, tightly-knit party of professional revolutionaries who would lead the working class in a violent uprising. They emphasized the importance of a disciplined and centralized party structure, with strict adherence to party decisions and policies. The Bolsheviks also advocated for the establishment of a revolutionary vanguard, a group of dedicated revolutionaries who would guide the masses towards revolution.
In contrast, the Mensheviks believed in a more inclusive and democratic approach to party organization. They argued for a broader membership, including workers, intellectuals, and even liberal bourgeoisie, and favored a more decentralized decision-making process. The Mensheviks also believed in the importance of participating in parliamentary elections and using legal means to achieve their goals.
3. Attitude towards the Provisional Government:
During the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks had differing attitudes towards the Provisional Government, which was established after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The Mensheviks, being more moderate, were willing to cooperate with the Provisional Government and believed in working within the existing political framework to achieve their goals. They joined the government and advocated for a parliamentary democracy.
On the other hand, the Bolsheviks, under Lenin's leadership, rejected the legitimacy of the Provisional Government and called for its overthrow. They argued for the transfer of power to the Soviets (workers' councils) and the establishment of a socialist government. The Bolsheviks saw the Provisional Government as a continuation of the capitalist system and believed that only a complete revolution could bring about true change.
In summary, the key differences between the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks lie in their ideological beliefs, strategies, and approaches to achieving socialism. The Bolsheviks were more radical, advocating for a violent revolution and a centralized government, while the Mensheviks were more moderate, favoring a gradualist approach and a democratic government.