Understanding the Mensheviks: A Faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party

Menshevik (Russian: меньшевик) was a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) that emerged in 1904. The name "Menshevik" means "the smaller" in Russian, and was used to distinguish the group from the Bolsheviks, who were known as "the bigger" or "the majority."

The Mensheviks were founded by Julius Martov, a prominent member of the RSDLP, who disagreed with Lenin's idea of a tightly organized and centralized party. Instead, the Mensheviks advocated for a more decentralized and democratic approach to party organization. They also believed that the working class should be the primary force behind the revolution, rather than the peasantry, as Lenin argued.

The Mensheviks were known for their emphasis on legal, peaceful, and constitutional methods of achieving socialism, and they were critical of Lenin's use of underground tactics and his advocacy for a revolutionary vanguard party. They also tended to be more moderate in their political views, and were open to cooperation with other socialist groups and the liberal bourgeoisie.

The Mensheviks played an important role in the early years of the Russian Revolution, but they eventually lost influence to the Bolsheviks, who were able to capitalize on the chaos and disillusionment following the February Revolution of 1917. Many Mensheviks eventually joined the Bolshevik Party or abandoned political activity altogether.