ABSTRACT
The year 1898 of course marks no sharp break in Russian history. A year of political realignment, it followed rather than coincided with a period of broad popular agitation. In this respect it can be compared with 1883, when "lessons" of the past were being mulled over as plans for the future were hatched. Between 1883 and 1898, however, a great deal had happened in Russia. The most obvious difference from 1883 was that by 1898 the necessity of political action, based on a mass movement, was no longer questioned. By 1898 the notion thus was firmly held that a new order was attainable through political action by masses of people who were guided by leaders capable of correct analysis. When 1898 came, bringing a temporary calm in the "social movement", the many intellectuals who had been attracted to Marxism turned their attention to problems of economics and philosophy undisturbed by the distractions of political struggle.
