The Bolcheviques were a faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that emerged in the early 20th century. They advocated for a radical approach to socialism, believing in the need for a vanguard party to lead the working class in revolution. Their ideology was rooted in the ideas of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, who played a crucial role in shaping their strategies. In 1917, the Bolcheviques successfully led the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government and establishing a socialist state in Russia. This event marked the beginning of the Soviet Union and significantly influenced global politics throughout the 20th century.