Bolsheviks Formed at Prague Party Conference
The sixth All-Russian Conference of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party convenes in Prague, bringing together various factions of the party. During this conference, Vladimir Lenin and his supporters take a decisive step to separate from the majority faction led by Georgy Plekhanov, officially establishing the Bolshevik movement. This split solidifies the ideological divide within the party, emphasizing the need for a more revolutionary approach to the political landscape of Russia.
Vladimir Lenin leads the Bolshevik faction.
The conference addresses ideological divides.
Mensheviks follow a more reformist approach.
The split influences future Russian revolutions.
What Happened?
The sixth All-Russian Conference of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, also known as the Prague Party Conference, opens in Prague, where delegates discuss critical issues facing the party. This gathering comes at a time of significant political unrest in Russia, following the 1905 Revolution and amidst increasing revolutionary activities. The conference becomes a battleground for differing ideological views, particularly between Lenin's faction, advocating for a more centralized, disciplined party structure focused on revolution, and the Mensheviks, who supported a more democratic and gradual approach. Throughout the course of the conference, tensions mount as Lenin and his supporters argue for a strategy that prioritizes direct action and revolution over reform. Ultimately, Lenin’s faction breaks away, leading to the formal establishment of the Bolshevik movement, which sticks to the party's original revolutionary goals. This decisive moment is punctuated by the party's focus on achieving a workers' revolution, making it a crucial turning point in Russian political history.
Why Does it Matter?
This event is significant as it marks the official split within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, leading to the rise of the Bolsheviks under Lenin. These developments play a pivotal role in the lead-up to the Russian Revolution of 1917, where the Bolsheviks will ultimately seize power. The ideological division established at this conference shapes the future of revolutionary tactics in Russia, setting the stage for conflict with the Mensheviks and other factions.