What does political left and political right in Russia at the time of the 1917 revolutions, what do it mean?

Answer 1

There were two revolutions in 1917 in Russia. The first was led by the right, the Mensheviks. Their leader was Alexander Kerensky and he forced the Czar to abdicate his throne. Kerensky's part was the Social Democratic Labor Party which still exists in Finland and Northern Ireland. The left was led by Nikolai Lenin and Leon Trotsky and were known as the Bolsheviks. After Kerensky formed the First Provisional Republic following the abdication of the Czar, the Bolsheviks began a revolt in October that same year. They overthrew the Kerensky government and created Soviet Russia, which later became the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics after other countries and areas were absorbed into it. Kerensky went into exile in the U.S. where he taught for many years at several universities.

Answer 2

Your question can be answered. At the outset it must be recognized you are using contemporary terms that were not used at the time, but we can fit them in.

First, the monarch of Nicholas II would be on the far right; least change, Russia should remain in World War I. The democratic socialist faction headed by Kerensky briefly took power. It deposed the monarch, but kept Russia in war and did not advocate drastic change.

The Kerensky, social democratic government, mainly because of the war also collapsed after it had deposed Nicholas. The struggle then became a battle between the White Russians, who still wanted a limited monarchy, and the Reds or Bolsheviks who were the furthest on the left eventually took over. The Reds executed Nicholas II, and removed Russia from war.

So those are the four political camps moving from right to left, traditional monarchy, Democratic Socialists, Whites, and Bolsheviks.

Answer 3

If I remember correctly, in 1917 the political left was the communist uprising and the political right was the long-standing aristocracy with the Czar as the leader. If you look at modern conservatives (right) vs. modern liberals (left) in the U.S. right now, you'll see that their political beliefs are very similar.