Russian Multi-Party System of 1917 in Volume 11 of the History of Russia

Первая мировая война и Российская революция 1917 года на страницах 11-го тома 20-томной «Истории России»: обсуждение

Abstract

This article analyses the study of the history of Russian political parties in volume 11 of the History of Russia. The importance of this publication for the development of Russian historical science and education is considered. Special attention is given to the review of historiography as well as the history of Constitutional Democrats, Social Democrats (Mensheviks), Socialist Revolutionaries, anarchists, Left Socialist-Revolutionaries and Maximalists as presented in the volume. The role of party leaders in the revolutionary process is pointed out. A conclusion is drawn on the controversial nature of the claims made by the volume’s authors about the role and significance of parties in 1917 and on their methodology as well as insufficient scientific analysis of the history of the Russian multi-party system and incomplete picture of the role of parties in the development of the revolutionary process.