How Do You Spell MENSHEVIKS?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛnʃɪvˌɪks] (IPA)

The term "mensheviks" refers to a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that existed before the Bolshevik Revolution. The word is spelled as /mɛnˈʃɛvɪks/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "men" is pronounced with an open "e" sound, followed by the "sh" sound represented by "sh". The "ev" is pronounced with the "e" and "v" sounds. Finally, the last syllable "iks" is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by "ks". This spelling is consistent with the original Russian spelling "ме́ньшевики".

MENSHEVIKS Meaning and Definition

1. The Mensheviks were a faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) during the early 20th century. Originating from the Russian word "menshinstvo," meaning minority, the Mensheviks emerged as a political group in 1903 after a split in the RSDLP. The faction was led by prominent figures such as Julius Martov, Pavel Axelrod, and Georgy Plekhanov.

   The Mensheviks advocated for a more moderate approach to the Russian Revolution. They believed in pursuing gradual reforms and a peaceful transition towards socialism, contrasting with the Bolsheviks' more radical and revolutionary approach. The Mensheviks aimed to build a broad-based coalition with liberal forces and the bourgeoisie to achieve their goals.

   This faction played a significant role during the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917. They were committed to democratic principles, criticizing the Bolsheviks' centralist and authoritarian tendencies. However, the Mensheviks failed to gain significant popular support and faced multiple divisions within their ranks.

   After the Bolsheviks seized power in the October Revolution, the Mensheviks experienced suppression and persecution. Many of their leaders and members were exiled, imprisoned, or executed during the subsequent years of communist rule. With the ascendancy of the Soviet Union, the Mensheviks largely faded into obscurity, their moderate social democratic ideals overshadowed by the Bolsheviks' brand of communism.

Common Misspellings for MENSHEVIKS

• menzheviki
• Mencheviki

Etymology of MENSHEVIKS

The word "Mensheviks" originated from the Russian term "mensheviki", which means "minority". The Mensheviks were a faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party, formed in 1903. At the party congress in that year, the Mensheviks were in the minority compared to the Bolsheviks, who were the majority faction. The term "Mensheviks" was used to refer to the more moderate and reformist members of the party. It reflected their position as the minority group within the party.