Question

The graph given below indicates the production of grain during the Great Leap Forward in China.

With reference to the above graph, explain the main features of the Commune system during the Great Leap Forward. What was there such a sharp spike in death rate as indicated in the graph above?

Answer 1

1. The Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign under the leadership of Mao Zedong.
2. It involved important experiments and developments in both agriculture and industry, that would suit Chinese conditions and not be based on the Russian model.
3. Communes were very large self-sufficient units that were much larger than collective farms.
4. It was composed of many villages with a total strength of upto 75,000 people.
5. The people were divided into Brigades and Work Teams with an elected Council.
6. These Councils managed the working of the collective farms and factories and carried out most of the functions of a local government within the Commune.
7. Each family received a share of the profits.
8. Essential goods and services like food, housing, health care and education were provided for, usually free of cost.
9. Social services like childcare, elder care and cultural activities were provided for by the Commune.
10. Women were encouraged to participate in agricultural work and hold leadership positions.
11. Small scale industries were set up to manufacture iron and steel, tools and basic machinery for agriculture.
12. About 6 lakhs ‘backyard steel furnaces' were set up and managed by the Communes.
13. The Commune system which aimed at modernisation of agriculture, labour intensive industrial growth and social equality, failed in its mission.

Short term Impact:

1. The Great Leap Forward policies and experiments ended in disaster and led to the economic collapse of China.
2. The faulty execution of the Commune system was largely responsible for one of the deadliest famines in human history, leading to starvation deaths of an estimated 20-40 million people in the country.