Question

Explain the Great Leap Forward (GLF) campaign of China.

Hint:

GLF → Communes + rapid industrialisation → led to economic failure

Answer 1

Concept: Great Leap Forward (GLF)
The Great Leap Forward (GLF) was an economic and social campaign launched by China in 1958 under the leadership of Mao Zedong.
Step 1:Objective of GLF

• To rapidly industrialize the country
• To transform China from an agrarian economy into a socialist industrial economy
• To increase agricultural and industrial production simultaneously

Step 2:Key Features

• Formation of large communes in rural areas
• Collective farming and shared ownership of land
• Establishment of small-scale industries in villages (like backyard furnaces)
• Mobilization of large labour force for production activities

Step 3:Implementation

• Farmers were grouped into communes
• Private farming was discouraged
• Emphasis was placed on meeting high production targets

Step 4:Outcomes

• Initially increased production targets
• However, poor planning and unrealistic goals led to decline in output
• Severe food shortages and famine occurred

Step 5:Conclusion
\[ \text{GLF was an ambitious but largely unsuccessful attempt at rapid development} \]