The Bolsheviks were a political party that played a significant role in the Russian Revolution of 1917. They were led by Vladimir Lenin and were instrumental in the establishment of the Soviet Union. The term Bolsheviks has a rich history and has been used in different ways over the years. In this article, we will explore the definitions and meanings of the word Bolsheviks.
Definitions
The term Bolsheviks is derived from the Russian word “bol’shinstvo,” which means “majority.” The Bolsheviks were a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) who believed in the need for a violent revolution to overthrow the ruling class and establish a socialist state.
Origin
The Bolsheviks emerged as a faction of the RSDLP in 1903. They were led by Vladimir Lenin and included other prominent figures such as Leon Trotsky and Joseph Stalin. The Bolsheviks were in opposition to the Mensheviks, who believed in a more gradual approach to socialist revolution.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Bolsheviks are “members of a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, which seized power in the October Revolution of 1917 and became the ruling party of the Soviet Union.” Merriam-Webster defines Bolsheviks as “members of a Russian Communist party that seized power in the 1917 revolution.” The Cambridge Dictionary describes Bolsheviks as “members of a political group in Russia that took control of the government in 1917 and established a socialist state.”
Associations
The Bolsheviks are often associated with the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the establishment of the Soviet Union. They are also associated with the ideas of Marxist-Leninism and the concept of a vanguard party leading the proletariat in revolution.
Synonyms
Synonyms for Bolsheviks include Communists, revolutionaries, socialists, and Marxists.
Antonyms
Antonyms for Bolsheviks include capitalists, conservatives, reactionaries, and monarchists.
The same root words
The root word for Bolsheviks is “bol’shinstvo,” which means “majority” in Russian. The term Bolsheviks was used to describe the faction of the RSDLP that had a majority of support at the party congress in 1903.
Example Sentences
- The Bolsheviks seized power in the October Revolution of 1917.
- Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks.
- The Bolsheviks established a socialist state in Russia.
- The Bolsheviks were in opposition to the Mensheviks within the RSDLP.
- The Bolsheviks were inspired by the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.