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Lenin's Declining Health
- Lenin's decades of revolutionary work led to health issues like headaches and insomnia.
- His unhealthy lifestyle was due to overwork and a demanding personality, not hedonistic vices.
Party's Reliance on Old Guard
- Lenin recognized the Communist Party's reliance on a small, dedicated group of old guard members.
- He worried that personality conflicts within this group could jeopardize the revolution.
Balancing Party Growth and Purity
- The Communist Party faced a dilemma: maintaining ideological purity while expanding its ranks.
- Purges addressed careerism and corruption, but risked instability due to internal conflicts.