The spelling of the word "Bolsheviki" originates from Russian. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˌbɒlʃɪˈviːki/. The word is spelled with a "B", "o", "l", "s", "h", "e", "v", "i", and "k", followed by an "i" ending. It is the plural form of "Bolshevik," which refers to a member of the Bolshevik Party, a political group that played a significant role in the Russian Revolution of 1917. The spelling has since been anglicized to "Bolsheviks."
The term "Bolsheviki" refers to a political faction that emerged during the early 20th century in Russia. Originating from the word "bol'shinstvo," meaning "majority" in Russian, the Bolsheviki were members of the Bolshevik Party, also known as the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP). Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviki played a pivotal role in the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Bolsheviki's core ideology was rooted in Marxist theory, advocating for the abolishment of private property, class equality, and the establishment of a socialist society. They aimed to achieve these goals through revolutionary means, overthrowing the Provisional Government in Russia and seizing power for the working class. Upon their rise to power, they implemented a range of policies, including nationalizing industry, redistributing land, and instituting a planned economy.
The Bolsheviki gained significant support from urban workers, soldiers, and the peasantry who sought relief from the hardships of the time, such as food shortages and war-related suffering. After successfully toppling the Provisional Government, they established the Soviet Union in 1922, which became the world's first communist state.
Although the term "Bolsheviki" typically refers to the specific faction within the Bolshevik Party, it has often been used to encompass the broader movement of communism in Russia and throughout the world. As such, it can also be used to describe individuals who advocate for revolutionary change, Marxism, or adhere to communist principles.
The word Bolsheviki is the plural form of Bolshevik, which originated from the Russian language. In Russian, bol'shinstvo means majority. The name Bolshevik was derived from the term bol'shevik, which means member of the majority. The Bolsheviks were a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party, which later became the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. They believed in the Marxist ideology and considered themselves the majority within the party, hence adopting the name Bolsheviks, meaning the majority.