The Great Leap Forward was the name given to China's Second Five Year Plan.
Launched in 1958, the Great Leap Forward was a campaign to accelerate China's economic development. It was based on Mao's firm belief that human will power and effort could overcome all obstacles.
Thus, the government tried to speed development by greatly increasing the number of workers an their hours while ignoring China's lack of capital and modern technology.
The government combined the agricultural cooperatives into huge communes to improve the efficiency of the farm workers.
In industry, labourers worked extra shifts. Machinery was operated continuously, without being stopped even for maintenance.
The Great Leap Forward shattered China's economy. From 1959 to 1961, China experienced economic depression, food shortages and a decline in industrial output.
By 1962, the economy began to recover. However, the Chinese had not solved the problem of achieving economic growth while maintaining revolutionary values. Disagreement over this issue began to produce a major split within the Communist Party between the Radicals and the Moderates.
The Radicals called for China to strive for a classless society in which everyone would work selflessly for the common good.
The Moderates stressed the importance of economic development. They believed that the policies of the Radicals were unrealistic and hampered the modernization of China.
Launched in 1958, the Great Leap Forward was a campaign to accelerate China's economic development. It was based on Mao's firm belief that human will power and effort could overcome all obstacles.
Thus, the government tried to speed development by greatly increasing the number of workers an their hours while ignoring China's lack of capital and modern technology.
The government combined the agricultural cooperatives into huge communes to improve the efficiency of the farm workers.
In industry, labourers worked extra shifts. Machinery was operated continuously, without being stopped even for maintenance.
The Great Leap Forward shattered China's economy. From 1959 to 1961, China experienced economic depression, food shortages and a decline in industrial output.
By 1962, the economy began to recover. However, the Chinese had not solved the problem of achieving economic growth while maintaining revolutionary values. Disagreement over this issue began to produce a major split within the Communist Party between the Radicals and the Moderates.
The Radicals called for China to strive for a classless society in which everyone would work selflessly for the common good.
The Moderates stressed the importance of economic development. They believed that the policies of the Radicals were unrealistic and hampered the modernization of China.
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