Economic developments: industry and agriculture; voluntary and compulsory collectivisation; the first Five Year Plan for industry and the Great Leap Forward; purge of Peng Dehuai; reasons for the failure of GLF and its aftermath; debates over economic policy
Mao tried to rapidly transform China's economy through mass collectivisation and crash industrialisation. His Great Leap Forward (1958–1962) instead caused one of the deadliest famines in history.
Real World
During the Great Leap Forward, local officials in Anhui province falsely reported record grain harvests to meet party targets — the state then seized grain based on inflated figures, leaving communities with nothing to eat; Anhui lost roughly 18% of its entire population to famine between 1959 and 1961.
Exam Focus
When explaining GLF failure, always distinguish between structural causes (unrealistic targets, false reporting) and immediate triggers (bad harvests, Soviet withdrawal) for full marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?