From this group of workers for freedom later the
Socialist-revolutionary party developed. "All land for the peasant" is
their slogan, while their promise to expropriate all land without any
compensation naturally meets with approval on the part of the land-hungry
peasants. Moreover, their program does not demand immediate complete
socialization of Russia, leaving that to a gradual process of evolution
and change of existing conditions. In the ten years preceding the first
revolution thousands of young intellectuals joined the party and fought the
tsar's regime. They showed a degree of self-abnegation found only in people
whose heart is kindled with the true spirit of devotion to a great cause.
The revolution of 1905 would never have taken place but for their organized
"terror from below." The high regard held for them by the widest circles
has caused their rise in power during the first two months of the
revolution of 1917. But tactical errors committed by the leaders of the
party as well as dissensions within the party itself contributed to a
rather rapid change of sentiment toward them on all sides. In a measure as
the Constitutional Democrats vigorously objected to their policy to put
into life as soon as possible the agrarian reforms promised by them, the
Social-Democrats on their part attacked them for their moderation in other
demands.
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