Bolshevism was the name of a particular development and school of thought within the Marxist movement in Russia. In opposition to the more democratic Menshevik (minority) party the Bolshevik (majority) party favored the overthrowing of existing governments by force and the establishment of the "dictatorship of the proletariat." The Bolshevik party suppressed the Menshevik party as soon as it came to power in Russia in 1917.

Under Bolshevism the Mennonite communities and way of life were gradually disintegrated. This process was completed during World War II when most of the Mennonites of the Ukraine were evacuated to Siberia or Germany. Some of the latter found their way to Paraguay and Canada but most of them were "repatriated" by the Red army at the end of the war and sent to Siberia.

See also Russia and Concentration Camps

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, p. 384. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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