Political Opposition to the Tsar

The Liberals
1. Believed in reform and non-violence
2. Believed in civil rights, freedom of the individual and the rule of law.
3. They didn't have support outside of the large cities
Socialist Revolutionaries
1. Formed in 1901, loose organisation accomodating various views
2. Split between moderates and radicals - followed into the Feb revolution in 1917
3. Supported all working people
4. They had lots of support from peasants
Marxists
1. People who believed and followed the German Philosopher Karl Marx
2. Believed in Action, and that the working class were key to revolution, not the peasants
3. Marxism offered a scientific view on history and so it enticed more people
4. Organised strikes in factories
Social Democrats
1. Believed in trade unions and wanted to improve working conditions
2. Others wanted to focus on revolutionary tactics. These views led the SD's to split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
Bolsheviks
1. Led by Lenin. He said that a small revolutionary party should contain a small number of highly disciplined members, operate under central leadership and have lots of small cells
2. Their job was to bring socialism to the workers
Mensheviks
1. Believed the party should be broadly based and take in anyone, be more democratic and allow more people to have a say and to encourage trade unions

Resource summary

	Created by Jack Caine almost 7 years ago