Bolsheviks
A group of communist revolutionaries which emerged in 1903 and participated in the revolutions of 1905 and 1917, ultimately coming to power in the latter conflict. Led by Vladimir Lenin and advocating his philosophies, they morphed into the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and governed until the end of the Soviet Union.
Borscht
A kind of soup commonly made in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Bourgeoisie
In Marxist theory, the class of people who control the majority of money and property in a capitalist society. However, its usage is very fluid, and can sometimes refer to the middle class specifically, affluent city-dwellers, and other uses in various languages.
Capitalism
A system of social organization wherein most or all property is privately owned by individual citizens, with the distribution of ownership among the populace varying by society.
Communism
A system of social organization based on collective ownership of property.
Comrade
A person who shares in another person’s ideology and aspirations; a person who belongs to the same organization or cause as another. Strongly associated with communism, within which it is often used as a term of respect and brotherhood.
Cossacks
An ethnic group native to southern Russia and south-eastern Ukraine. Famed for excellent horsemanship common to people in the area, historically they were often recruited into cavalry units in the Russian military.
Formalism
A school of film theory which focuses on the analysis of purely aesthetic and stylistic elements, sometimes at the expense of thematic and historical analysis. Can also refer to the practice of filmmakers who focus most of their artistic energy on aesthetic elements of their films.
Maggots
Fly larvae that are often found growing in rotten meat. Generally a sign of disease and death.
Marxism
The study of philosophy, sociology, and political and economic theory stemming from the writings of Karl Marx. Generally involves analyzing and advancing the ideas of communism, socialism, or other related ideas, as well as critiquing the system of capitalism.
Marxist-Leninism
A branch of Marxist thought based on the theories of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin. Also can refer to the official state policy of the early Soviet Union, despite some substantive between Lenin’s theories and the government’s practices. Key ideas in Marxist-Leninism include vanguardism, rapid industrialization, and centrality of power in the communist party, among others.
Montage
The French word for film editing (literally translates to “assembly”) and in film theory refers to the theories and practice of the artistic possibilities of editing developed by Sergei Eisenstein and his contemporaries in Soviet film. Not to be confused with the English use of “montage” to mean a scene in a film showing a condensed series of events taking place over a long stretch of time.
Mutiny
When the rank-and-file of a group refuse to obey the commands of their superiors and take control of decision-making, sometimes violently. Typically refers to military units, usually on ships.
Proletariat
The working class.
Radicalization
The process by which a person is converted to an extremist political position. This can involve a person or group of people actively recruiting people into a political movement or a personal transition wherein a person experiences events or encounters ideas that change their perspective.
Russian Orthodoxy
A branch of the broader Eastern Orthodox tradition of Christianity which developed in Eastern Europe in contrast to the Catholic and later Protestant traditions which developed in the west. It originally operated in concert with the Catholic Church before the bodies split in 1054 A.D. over doctrinal disputes. Christians were generally persecuted in the Soviet Union, but they persisted and Russian Orthodoxy remains by far the most common religious affiliation in Russia to this day.
Russo-Japanese War
A conflict fought between Russia and Japan from 1904-05 over territory around the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. It ended in defeat for Russia and effectively ended Russia’s imperialist ambitions in East Asia.
Tsar
The monarch of Russia before the Soviet Union. “Tsarist” refers to people who, during the periods of revolution, supported the Tsar continuing as ruler. Often also spelled “Czar” in English.
Vanguardism
The Marxist-Leninist idea that anti-capitalist revolution is best brought about by a “vanguard” of enlightened individuals organizing the working class into action.
Socialism
A system of social organization wherein most property and industry is owned by the state and operated with the intent of benefitting the common people. Traditional Marxist theory posits socialism as a bridge to full communism, but later theorists and political activists have advocated for socialism as a worthwhile system in and of itself.