1. Political Opponents of the Tsar

2. Liberals A moderate party (Constitutional Democrats)
Also known as the Kadets
Most were from the Intelligentsia section of society
Supported by many middle class people
Wanted a Parliament with free democratic elections like the British system
Used peaceful protest.

3. Socialist Revolutionary Party
Largest opposition group
Supported by many peasants
Demanded more land for those that worked the land
Had developed the use of terror as a political weapon and employed it when necessary.

4. Social Democratic Party
Smallest opposition group
Most radical
Believed in the ideas of the German Communist thinker, Karl Marx
Believed the workers would start a revolution
Split into two groups in 1903: the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks

5. Bolsheviks .vs. Mensheviks
Bolsheviks (majority group)
Led by Lenin
Committed Marxists
Waiting for the revolution
Believed in a tight-knit group of revolutionaries
Mensheviks (minority group
Led by Martov
Compete at elections
Campaign for reforms now
Believed in a large party of activists

6. Lenin
Lenin was born Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov in Simbrisk on 22nd April 1870
He studied law at university where he learned about western ideals
He was expelled from university for his radical ideas
He moved to St Petersburg where he became a professional revolutionary
He was arrested and exiled in Siberia where he adopted his name “Lenin”
He travelled Europe where he became well known and became the leader of the Bolshevik section of the Russian Social Democratic Worker’s party

7. Russian Political Spectrum
Bolsheviks
(Lenin - Marxists)
Liberals/Kadets (Moderate – want Govt like Britain – supported by M/C)
Tsar as Autocrat
Socialist Revolutionary
Party
(largest with support of peasants)
Mensheviks
(Martov)
LEFT
RIGHT