Growth of Marxism in Russia

Question 1

Populism to Marxism

Answer 1

Welfare of ‘narod’
Commune as kernel of socialism

Question 2

Appeal of Marxism in Russia

Answer 2

Marxist theory focused on the idea that a socialist revolution would occur in an advanced ‘capitalist’ country with a large urban proletariat.
Marxist ideas nevertheless began to appeal to radical Russians from the 1880s onwards
Failure of 1881 showed need for new tactics
Marxism as a ‘philosophy of consolation’: revolution some day

Question 3

Emigres of 1880s and 1890s

Answer 3

Plekhanov, Vera Saszulich
Growth in later 1890s- Russian Social Democratic Party

Question 4

What is to be done?

Answer 4

Lenin, echoed Chernyshevky
Need for a dedicated core of professional revolutionaries

Question 5

Bolshevism vs Menshevism

Answer 5

Bolsheviks wanted dedicated party, Mensheviks valued the masses

Question 6

Emigre Populism

Answer 6

Lavrov, Chaikovskii
Partial absorption of Marxist ideas
Commitment to terrorism and assassination eg Plehve