The Bolshevik Party was one of the most significant political movements of the 20th century, playing a key role in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and shaping the direction of the Soviet Union for decades. While widely known as the Bolsheviks, this revolutionary group went through several name changes that reflected their evolving political identity, strategic goals, and ideological stance. The other names of the Bolshevik Party tell a deeper story about the transformation of a radical Marxist faction into a ruling power that would dominate Russian politics and influence global communism for generations.
Origins of the Bolshevik Name
The term Bolshevik comes from the Russian wordbolshinstvo, meaning majority. In 1903, during the Second Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP), a split occurred between two factions Bolsheviks (majority) and Mensheviks (minority). Led by Vladimir Lenin, the Bolsheviks advocated for a highly centralized party of professional revolutionaries, while the Mensheviks supported a broader, more democratic membership base.
Though the name Bolshevik initially referred to their numerical majority in the vote over party organization, it became their lasting identity. The term came to symbolize their commitment to revolutionary Marxism, class struggle, and the overthrow of the tsarist autocracy through armed revolution.
Early Designations and Informal Names
In the years following the split, the Bolsheviks were still technically part of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, often referred to as RSDLP (B) with the B indicating the Bolshevik faction. This label was used to distinguish them from the Mensheviks, who remained within the broader RSDLP umbrella.
- RSDLP (B): Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolsheviks)
- Leninists: Informal name based on their leadership under Lenin
- Marxist revolutionaries: Descriptive term commonly used by sympathizers and opponents alike
Although these were not official party names, they were frequently used in political discourse, publications, and propaganda to refer to the group’s ideology and leadership.
Official Name Change: Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks)
Following the successful October Revolution in 1917, which led to the overthrow of the Provisional Government, the Bolsheviks gained control of the state. With power in hand, they began restructuring the party to reflect their new role as leaders of a socialist government.
In March 1918, at the Seventh Party Congress, the Bolsheviks officially changed their name to theRussian Communist Party (Bolsheviks), or RCP (B). This change marked a shift from being a revolutionary movement to becoming the ruling party of a new socialist state. The new name also distanced the party from the original RSDLP, signaling a clear break from the Mensheviks and emphasizing the centrality of communist ideology.
The inclusion of Bolsheviks in parentheses served as a transitional reminder of their revolutionary identity, but over time, the party became simply known by its new communist name.
Evolution into the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)
As the Soviet state expanded and solidified, the party’s influence grew beyond Russia’s borders into other republics of the former Russian Empire. In 1925, the party adopted a new name to reflect this broader scope: All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), abbreviated as AUCP (B).
This name indicated that the party now functioned at the level of the entire Soviet Union, not just the Russian republic. It was a clear sign that the Bolsheviks had transformed from a revolutionary Russian party into the central authority of a multi-ethnic socialist federation.
Key Characteristics of the AUCP (B)
- Maintained one-party rule across all Soviet republics
- Promoted Marxist-Leninist ideology as state doctrine
- Centralized control under the leadership of the Politburo
- Implemented economic planning through the command economy
Final Transformation: Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU)
In 1952, under the leadership of Joseph Stalin, the party changed its name again during the 19th Party Congress. It officially became theCommunist Party of the Soviet Union(CPSU), dropping the parenthetical Bolsheviks and reflecting its status as a mature ruling institution.
The removal of the Bolsheviks label symbolized the party’s evolution from its origins as a radical faction to a centralized governing body that controlled every aspect of Soviet political, economic, and social life. From this point on, the CPSU remained the official name of the party until its dissolution in 1991.
Summary of Other Names of the Bolshevik Party
- RSDLP (B)– Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolsheviks)
- Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks)– After 1918
- All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)– After 1925
- Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU)– After 1952
Each name reflected a key stage in the party’s development, from revolutionary faction to dominant political force in one of the world’s superpowers.
Ideological Continuity Through Name Changes
Despite these changes in name, the core principles of the Bolshevik Party remained largely consistent throughout its history especially in the early decades. The commitment to class struggle, the abolition of private property, state control of the economy, and the goal of a global communist revolution were central themes across all iterations of the party.
However, practical shifts occurred as the party adapted to governing. The need for political stability, internal discipline, and bureaucratic management altered the party’s functioning and image, particularly under Stalin. The transformation from a movement of revolutionaries to a ruling elite created tensions within the party, even as it retained its Marxist-Leninist ideology.
Legacy of the Bolshevik Party
The names by which the Bolsheviks were known trace a historical arc from insurgency to empire. The group began as a radical wing of a socialist party, yet within decades it became synonymous with the Soviet state itself. The term Bolshevik became a symbol of revolutionary zeal, but also of centralized control, political repression, and ideological rigidity.
Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, the legacy of the Bolshevik Party continues to influence political thought and historical debate. Whether praised for its role in ending tsarist oppression or criticized for authoritarian rule, the movement and its multiple names remain central to understanding the history of communism and modern Russia.
The other names of the Bolshevik Party reflect more than just administrative decisions they represent the ideological and political evolution of one of the most consequential organizations in modern history. From the RSDLP (B) to the CPSU, each name encapsulates a different phase of revolutionary fervor, state consolidation, and governance. Exploring these names helps us understand how the Bolsheviks transformed both themselves and the world around them, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape global politics and historical memory.