tHE gREAT lEAP fORWARD
Mao launched an experiment called the "Great Leap Forward", which led to a massive famine all over China. It was actually a great leap backwards for the nation. In my Henan Province it was estimated that 8 million people starved to death (Yun 21).
Mao launched “The Great Leap Forward” in an attempt to modernise China’s economy, so that eventually, China's economy would exceed America’s. He felt that in order for this goal to occur, the Chinese people had to focus on developing the industry and agriculture. People’s lives and possessions were now mainly under government control; basically, the freedom to choose was taken away from them. Although the government (technically was called the commune) that was in charge of these things, made certain that everyone’s needs were met. Gradually, steel and agriculture productions increased as Mao's plans seemed to be proving themselves beneficial. Against the purpose of Mao's plans, however, it seemed that his goals were starting to crumble in 1959 as the quality of the products was terrible, workers were injured and exhausted from being overworked, people lacked sufficient nutrition, and many more problems that arose from Mao's "Great Leap Forward". Seeing his failure, Mao admitted it and resigned from his position, yet still served in a powerful state. Thus, “The Great Leap Forward” was abandoned. Later, Mao would start the Cultural Revolution ("The Great Leap Forward").