Old Guard

Soviet faction

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July 1, 2026

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The term "Old Guard" refers to the conservative, often older, members of an organization who hold established prestige and influence. In the context of the Soviet Union, particularly during the factional struggles after Lenin's death, the "Old Guard" represented a core group of experienced party members whose opinions heavily shaped policy decisions.12

These individuals, often referred to as "Old Bolsheviks," were deeply committed to Marxist-Leninist ideology. They were instrumental in the internal political history of the U.S.S.R. as leadership contenders vied for power, with figures like Joseph Stalin strategically leveraging his position within the party apparatus to gain their support. The "Old Guard" was a significant constituency whose backing was crucial for a leader's ascent and policy implementation.342

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Soviet Union
The NEP and the defeat of the Left
…might be called the Party’s Old Guard.” This cadre, or the victorious section, constituted the pool of leadership until the late 1930s and to some degree even later. When it is remembered that the Bolsheviks had numbered well under 10,000 members in 1912 and that only a section of these…
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…might be called the Party’s Old Guard.” This cadre, or the victorious section, constituted the pool of leadership until the late 1930s and to some degree even later. When it is remembered that the Bolsheviks had numbered well under 10,000 members in 1912 and that only a section of these…
Read More