Between 1905 and February 1917, both the Bolshevik and Menshevik parties in Russia played significant roles in attempting to bring about political change. These parties emerged from the split within the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) and had differing strategies and ideologies for achieving their goals.

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, advocated for a revolutionary vanguard of the working class to overthrow the Tsarist autocracy and establish a socialist state. They believed in a centralized party structure and a more radical approach to revolution. The Bolsheviks sought to seize power through a violent uprising, as outlined in Lenin’s theory of the vanguard party and the necessity of armed revolution.

On the other hand, the Mensheviks, led by Julius Martov, favored a more gradual and democratic approach to achieving socialism. They believed in a broader party membership and a more inclusive revolution involving various social classes. The Mensheviks aimed to build a coalition of workers, peasants, and liberal intellectuals to challenge the autocracy and establish a parliamentary democracy before transitioning to socialism.

In terms of success, it can be argued that the Bolsheviks ultimately emerged as the more successful party. This is primarily due to the events of the October Revolution in 1917, where the Bolsheviks, with Lenin’s leadership, successfully overthrew the Provisional Government and established a Soviet socialist state.

The Bolsheviks’ success can be attributed to several factors. First, the Bolsheviks had a clear and radical message that resonated with a significant portion of the working class and urban proletariat. Their focus on class struggle and the immediate transfer of power to the Soviets struck a chord with those disillusioned by the Provisional Government’s perceived failures.

Second, the Bolsheviks were able to effectively mobilize their party and garner support through their organizational structure and propaganda efforts. They built a disciplined and dedicated membership, utilizing their own newspaper, Pravda, to disseminate their revolutionary ideas and rally support.

Third, the timing of the Bolsheviks’ actions was crucial. The widespread discontent among the population, exacerbated by the ongoing hardships of World War I and the failure of the Provisional Government to address pressing issues, created a favorable environment for the Bolsheviks to seize power.

In contrast, the Mensheviks were less successful in achieving their goals during this period. Their more moderate and gradualist approach failed to galvanize the masses in the same way that the Bolsheviks’ revolutionary rhetoric did. The Mensheviks also struggled to unify various factions and lacked the same level of organizational discipline exhibited by the Bolsheviks.

Furthermore, the Mensheviks faced challenges in navigating the complex political landscape of the time. They participated in the Provisional Government but eventually withdrew due to disagreements and their opposition to the Bolshevik seizure of power. This withdrawal limited their influence and undermined their ability to implement their vision of a democratic transition to socialism.

In conclusion, while both the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks attempted to foment change between 1905 and February 1917 in Russia, the Bolsheviks emerged as the more successful group. Their radical ideology, effective mobilization, and the opportune circumstances surrounding the October Revolution allowed them to seize power and establish a Soviet socialist state. The Mensheviks, with their more moderate and gradualist approach, struggled to gain widespread support and were ultimately overshadowed by the Bolsheviks’ revolutionary fervor.