The Great Leap Forward was a drastic social and economic program initiated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1958. The goal of the Great Leap Forward was to rapidly transform the country from an agrarian economy into a modern communist society through the accelerated collectivization of its agricultural system and rapid industrialization.
The CCP’s program sought to improve agricultural production, spur industrial development, modernize infrastructure, and create a more equitable distribution of wealth throughout China. During the period almost every aspect of Chinese life was affected by the program as the public sector underwent attempts to reorganize on a massive scale.
The Great Leap Forward began with Mao Zedong’s speech in May 1958, during which he declared that “the Chinese people have stood up.” He then outlined plans for a nationwide campaign to greatly increase agricultural production, referred to as the “Great Leap Forward.” This campaign encouraged the organization of agricultural communes, a large-scale reorganization of people and resources. These communes were intended to act as a mass initiative to boost agricultural production, with each commune containing its own schools, health care centers, and local government offices. Additionally, individual farm households were grouped into production teams, which were combined into larger collective farms managed by party members.
Industrial production also increased dramatically during this time. Many of the industrial initiatives were carried out using primitive techniques such as manual labor and rudimentary tools instead of machinery. This approach was implemented in an effort to create jobs quickly and cheaply. As a result, many of China’s industrial output during this period was of inferior quality and did not provide the desired economic growth.
Mao also sought to expand China’s export volume in order to earn foreign currency needed for major infrastructure projects and other investments. Officials attempted to rapidly increase exports by raising production quotas well beyond what was reasonably possible. The result was that much of the industrial production was of poor quality and was either unusable or unable to be sold in foreign markets.
The Great Leap Forward also had significant impacts on Chinese society and individuals. The campaign caused widespread disruption, a dramatic rise in the number of political campaigns, and a decrease in personal freedoms. To meet the demands for increased agricultural and industrial output, people were expected to work very long hours and take part in daily study sessions devoted to Maoist ideology. This excessive workload resulted in severe stress and exhaustion among workers, as well as decreased productivity. Many people also resented being forced to work and adhere to the strict rules of the communes.
The Great Leap Forward not only failed to achieve its economic goals, but also resulted in economic disaster. The excessive demands placed on the Chinese economy led to shortages of food and raw materials. These shortages culminated in a famine between 1959 and 1961 that took the lives of an estimated 20 to 30 million people.
Despite the failure of the Great Leap Forward, it had far-reaching effects on China and its people, reshaping the country’s social, economic, and political landscape. It altered the structure of Chinese society, introducing new forms of labor organization and giving birth to a strong central government and state planning apparatus. In addition to these changes, the Great Leap Forward was significant in that it marked the end of Mao’s attempt at radical economic change and the beginning of a new era in Chinese history.