Non-communists in Russia were called Mensheviks.

The chosen name of the Bolsheviks (translated as 'one of the majority') implied that they had the majority of followers. It was this group that transformed into the leaders and members of the Communist Party. Those who opposed the communists were portrayed to be in the minority and as such, were known as Mensheviks. They would soon become a primary target of Lenin, and later Stalin, as they attempted to remove those who might be seen as a threat to the march toward communism.

The Russian Civil War that followed the establishment of the Bolsheviks as the ruling party of Russia developed into Reds versus Whites. The Reds were the Communists and the Whites were those who opposed. When the Communists eventually emerged victorious, the government set about maintaining stability but at the same time, sought out those who oppose them. Lenin wanted to rule absolutely with no contention or disagreement regarding the rulings of the Communist party. These Mensheviks were seen as enemies and were ferreted out by the secret police.

Stalin would eventually continue to eliminate anyone who at one time might have been associated or known as a Menshevik. The intent behind this was to not only remove anyone who might be perceived as a saboteur to the Communist Party, but to eliminate anyone who might have knowledge of Stalin's past. Those who foresaw the troubles that would come with Communism, emigrated before or shortly after the October Revolution. Those non-communists who remained in Russia were definitely the minority, making the name Mensheviks all the more appropriate.