13.2 Consequences of the Great Leap Forward
4 min read•july 11, 2024
The Great Leap Forward, Mao's ambitious plan to rapidly industrialize China, led to devastating economic and social consequences. Agricultural output plummeted, industrial production was disrupted, and the economy collapsed, resulting in widespread famine and starvation.
The campaign's failure had far-reaching political implications for Mao and the CCP. It temporarily weakened Mao's power, damaged the party's credibility, and led to shifts in economic policy. Long-term, it set back China's development, delaying modernization and industrialization efforts.
Economic and Social Consequences
Economic consequences of Great Leap Forward
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- Severe decline in agricultural output
- Diversion of labor from agriculture to steel production shifted focus away from food production
- Farmers forced to adopt unproven and ineffective agricultural techniques like close planting and deep plowing, leading to soil depletion
- Widespread crop failures and reduced harvests resulted in food shortages (grains, vegetables)
- Disruption of industrial production
- Emphasis on small-scale, backyard steel furnaces diverted resources from other industries
- Neglect of other industrial sectors such as textiles and machinery led to imbalanced development
- Production of low-quality, unusable steel due to lack of expertise and proper equipment
- Collapse of the economy
- Sharp decline in both agricultural and industrial output caused a severe economic recession
- Disruption of trade and distribution networks hindered the flow of goods and resources (railways, ports)
- Depletion of resources and capital through wasteful and inefficient projects (irrigation systems, dams)
Social effects of Great Leap Forward
- Widespread famine and starvation
- Estimated 20-45 million deaths between 1959 and 1961 due to severe food shortages
- Caused by reduced food production and ineffective distribution systems that prioritized urban areas
- Disproportionately affected rural areas, with some villages losing over half their population
- Breakdown of social structures
- Separation of families due to communal living and work arrangements in people's communes
- Erosion of traditional values and customs as the state promoted collectivism and loyalty to the party
- Increased state control over individuals' lives through strict regulation of daily activities (work schedules, meal times)
- Long-term demographic impact
- Reduced population growth rates due to high mortality and lower fertility during the famine years
- Skewed age structure due to high mortality among children and elderly, leaving a "lost generation"
- Lasting effects on health and human capital, such as stunted growth and impaired cognitive development (malnutrition, disease)
Political and Long-term Implications
Political repercussions for Mao Zedong
- Temporary decline in Mao's power and influence
- Criticism and opposition from other party leaders who questioned Mao's policies and leadership
- Brief period of moderation and pragmatism under and , who sought to correct the excesses of the Great Leap Forward
- Mao's eventual resurgence and purge of rivals during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) to reassert his authority
- Damage to the CCP's legitimacy and credibility
- Public disillusionment and loss of faith in the party's leadership due to the suffering caused by the Great Leap Forward
- Erosion of trust between the party and the masses, as people questioned the party's ability to govern effectively
- Need for the party to rebuild its image and authority through propaganda and political campaigns (Mao cult, rectification movements)
- Shifts in economic policy
- Abandonment of radical, utopian economic goals in favor of more realistic targets
- Greater emphasis on practical results and material incentives to boost productivity (work points system, private plots)
- Gradual move towards market-oriented reforms in later years under Deng Xiaoping (household responsibility system, special economic zones)
Long-term implications for China's development
- Setback to China's economic development
- Years of lost growth and productivity due to the disruption caused by the Great Leap Forward
- Depletion of resources and capital through wasteful investments and failed projects
- Need to rebuild infrastructure and productive capacity, which took years to recover (factories, transportation networks)
- Delayed modernization and industrialization
- Failure to achieve rapid, large-scale industrialization as envisioned by Mao and the party leadership
- Persistence of rural poverty and underdevelopment, as the countryside bore the brunt of the famine and economic disruption
- Widening gap between China and more advanced nations in terms of technology and living standards (Japan, South Korea)
- Lessons for future policy-making
- Cautionary tale about the dangers of ideologically-driven, top-down campaigns that ignore local conditions and expertise
- Recognition of the importance of pragmatism and evidence-based decision-making in economic planning and management
- Impetus for later reforms and opening-up under Deng Xiaoping, who sought to avoid the mistakes of the Mao era (market reforms, foreign investment)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Agricultural collectivization: Agricultural collectivization refers to the policy of consolidating individual landholdings and labor into collective farms, primarily implemented in the Soviet Union and later adopted by the People's Republic of China during the Great Leap Forward. This policy aimed to increase agricultural productivity through shared resources and collective labor but often led to disastrous consequences, including widespread famine and economic disruption.
Backyard steel campaign: The backyard steel campaign was an initiative during China's Great Leap Forward in the late 1950s aimed at rapidly increasing steel production by encouraging people to set up small furnaces in their backyards. This grassroots movement intended to boost industrial output but led to the production of low-quality steel and diverted labor from agriculture, significantly impacting food production and contributing to widespread famine.
Catastrophe theory: Catastrophe theory is a branch of mathematics that studies how small changes in circumstances can lead to sudden and dramatic shifts in behavior or outcomes. In the context of the Great Leap Forward, this concept helps explain how the ambitious policies and rapid changes implemented during this period led to catastrophic consequences, including widespread famine and economic collapse, despite the initial intentions to boost agricultural and industrial production.
Command Economy: A command economy is an economic system where the government has significant control over production, investment, prices, and incomes. This system contrasts with a market economy, where these decisions are made by individuals or businesses through supply and demand. In a command economy, the state typically directs all aspects of economic activity in an attempt to achieve specific social or political goals.
Deng Xiaoping: Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese political leader who played a pivotal role in transforming China's economy and society after the death of Mao Zedong. He is best known for initiating major economic reforms and opening China to foreign investment, leading to significant changes in China's development trajectory.
Estimated deaths: Estimated deaths refer to the approximate number of individuals who died as a result of specific events or policies, particularly in the context of crises such as famines, wars, or pandemics. This term is crucial when assessing the human cost of major initiatives like the Great Leap Forward, as it reflects the scale of tragedy and the impact on the population.
Four Pests Campaign: The Four Pests Campaign was a public health initiative launched in 1958 during China's Great Leap Forward, aimed at eradicating four pests: rats, flies, mosquitoes, and sparrows. This campaign was intended to improve agricultural productivity and public health by eliminating these pests that were seen as threats to crops and human health. However, it led to significant ecological imbalances and contributed to the disastrous consequences of the Great Leap Forward.
Great Chinese Famine: The Great Chinese Famine was a devastating period from 1959 to 1961 marked by widespread starvation and death across China, primarily due to the failures of the Great Leap Forward initiative. This famine resulted from aggressive agricultural policies, including collectivization and unrealistic production targets, which disrupted traditional farming methods and led to severe food shortages. The consequences of this famine had far-reaching impacts on Chinese society and its economy.
Historical revisionism: Historical revisionism is the re-examination and reinterpretation of historical records and events, often leading to new perspectives or understandings that challenge established narratives. This process can involve questioning the accuracy of sources, uncovering overlooked evidence, and re-assessing the motivations and impacts of historical figures and movements. In the context of significant events like the Great Leap Forward, historical revisionism can reveal deeper insights into its consequences and the narratives surrounding it.
Industrial inefficiency: Industrial inefficiency refers to the failure of an economic system to utilize resources in the most productive manner possible, leading to wasted materials, labor, and time. In the context of large-scale production efforts, such as during major economic initiatives, industrial inefficiency can result in significant setbacks, reduced output, and adverse effects on overall economic growth. This concept is particularly relevant when examining initiatives that aimed for rapid industrialization but fell short due to poor planning and execution.
Liu Shaoqi: Liu Shaoqi was a prominent Chinese Communist leader and politician who played a significant role in the governance of China during the early years of the People's Republic. His influence peaked during the Great Leap Forward, where he was instrumental in the implementation of policies aimed at rapidly industrializing and collectivizing the economy. Liu's subsequent criticism of these policies and his opposition to radical elements in the party led to his downfall during the Cultural Revolution, making him a key figure in understanding the political turmoil of this period.
Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong was a Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People's Republic of China, serving as its chairman from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. His leadership was marked by significant ideological battles and transformative policies that reshaped China's social, political, and economic landscape.
Policy mismanagement: Policy mismanagement refers to the failure in the execution and formulation of governmental policies that can lead to adverse outcomes, particularly in areas such as economic development and social welfare. In the context of agricultural campaigns or large-scale reforms, it often results in wasted resources, unachieved targets, and sometimes catastrophic consequences for the population involved. This mismanagement can stem from a lack of understanding of local conditions, overambitious goals, or poor communication between authorities and citizens.
Reduction in agricultural output: Reduction in agricultural output refers to the significant decline in the production of crops and food during a specific period, particularly highlighted during the Great Leap Forward in China from 1958 to 1962. This decline resulted from a combination of poor agricultural policies, forced collectivization, and adverse weather conditions, leading to widespread famine and suffering. Understanding this term is crucial for grasping the broader impacts of the Great Leap Forward on Chinese society and economy.
Rural migration: Rural migration refers to the movement of people from rural areas to urban centers, often driven by the search for better economic opportunities, education, and living conditions. This phenomenon became particularly prominent in China during the Great Leap Forward as millions left their agricultural roots in search of a more prosperous life, significantly impacting the social and economic landscape of the country.
Self-reliance: Self-reliance refers to the ability of an individual or group to depend on their own capabilities and resources rather than relying on external support or assistance. In the context of modern China, self-reliance played a significant role in various initiatives aimed at fostering independence, particularly during periods of political and economic upheaval. This approach emphasized innovation, local production, and the rejection of foreign influence, shaping policies that aimed for national strength and resilience.
Totalitarianism: Totalitarianism is a political system in which the state holds absolute power over all aspects of public and private life. This form of governance typically seeks to control not just the government and laws, but also the economy, education, culture, and even the thoughts and beliefs of its citizens. It often employs propaganda, censorship, and state terror to eliminate dissent and maintain a singular ideological vision.