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The Great Leap Forward (1858 -1962) (Causes (conditions for event to…
The Great Leap Forward (1858 -1962)
Causes (conditions for event to occur)
Marxist ideology
Development of an industrialized proletariat
Mao believed that human willpower was the key factor of change
Sino-Soviet relations in 1958 were so poor that Mao wanted China to be not only economically independent but the leader of the world
Mao's visit to Moscow in 1957 inspired him that Communism was better than Capitalism - Sputnik (first Russian spaceship)
The first five year plan was too reliant on USSR
Mao wanted to show his independence
By 1958, Mao had been in power for nearly 10 years
Secured his power of the people
Aims (goals)
Overtake the west
e.g, beat UK steel output in 15 years etc.
Mass mobilization of Chinese population
Carried out by the CCP
Liu Shaoqui
Deng Xiaoping
Modernize and industrialize China
Boost China agricultural output
Increase in food to cities
Exports to buy machinery
Effects
Social impacts
Famine
Cause: Discipline of labor and 'militarization', and heavy emphasis on communes
Often would kill and eat own animals to avoid giving to the commune
Backyard steel campaign
Mao decided to ease the regulations on organisational control.
Place greater emphasis on work done than economic need
Political consequences
The Lusan conference
Weakening Sino-soviet relations
Mao lost his authoritative power. Liu was placed as head of state
Mao remained chairman of the party
Economic results
Increase in production
Backyard steel campaign
Key Features
Agricultural goals were overly hopeful. Officials inflated agrcultural figures and doctored photographs in order to keep up with state demand. Thus, food for peasants was left scarce and led to a famine.
Backyard steel campaign
Took iron and metal from households to melt and create steel
The steel was mostly unusable and useless
Communist/patriotic propaganda was spread to increase morale. Censorship was installed to avoid peasants gaining knowledge of the problems within China and getting wary of the party.
Three bitter years (Famine)
People forced to resort to cannibalism
'Walking on two legs'
Workers would farm during prime agricultural season
During non-agricultural season, farmers would go to build clocks, ..., etc.