The General Character of the Georgian Social Democracy and the First Steps in Batumi

Abstract

This article discusses the general character of Georgian social democracy and the early activities of the organization in Batumi. The history of Georgian social democracy is a particularly interesting and complex topic, as its development process was not only connected to all the major historical events that took place in Georgia during the first two decades of the 20th century but also, to some extent, defined them.
The first group of Georgian social democracy, the "Mesame Dasi" began to form in 1892, based on European Marxist socialism and opposing Russian narodnik socialism. In fact, the "Mesame Dasi" became the first ideological union to start a political struggle for the protection of the working people's interests amid intense class struggles. At the same time, a different direction emerged, known as revolutionary social democracy, which later transformed into the so-called Bolshevik wing. The processes occurring against the backdrop of the diversity of socio-political ideas created a mosaic image of Georgian social democracy. In 1903, the "Mesame Dasi" joined the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP), and the process of forming Georgian Menshevism continued for several years. This integration into the RSDLP was one stage of its development, facilitating its transformation not merely as a part of Russian Bolshevism or Menshevism, but as a distinctly Georgian social democracy defined by local needs and characteristics.
One of the main centers of the party's activities was the city of Batumi. Social democracy considered the proletariat to be the main revolutionary force. Accordingly, industrial centers, characterized by a growing concentration of workers, held particular interest for social democrats. The rise of industrial life in Batumi and the large number of workers contributed to the activity of the social democrats in the city, while the social ideas of the social democrats made them popular among the workers. The article focuses on the establishment of the "Mesame Dasi" the activation of the social democratic movement, and the differing opinions on national, political, and social issues. It also examines the initial steps of the organization in Batumi, including protests and its leaders.