Mao Economic Policy

Collectivization

The process of transforming private land ownership into collective farming through agricultural cooperatives, aimed at boosting agricultural output by pooling resources and labor.

Impact of Collectivization

Initially popular among poor peasants, but faced resistance and led to decreased agricultural productivity.

The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962)

An ambitious initiative to rapidly transform China from an agrarian economy into an industrialized nation, focusing on decentralizing industrial production and increasing agricultural output.

People's Communes

Large-scale collective farms where people lived and worked together, often with communal kitchens and nurseries.

Backyard Furnaces

Make-shift furnaces encouraged among peasants to produce steel using household items as raw materials.

Famine resulting from the Great Leap Forward

One of the deadliest famines in human history, leading to an estimated 15 to 55 million deaths due to unrealistic targets and mismanagement.

Economic Disruption from the Great Leap Forward

Poor-quality steel production and neglect of agriculture led to widespread economic disruption and starvation.

The Socialist Education Movement (1963-1965)

Aims to re-emphasize socialist values and eliminate capitalist influences in rural areas through political education by Party cadres.

Impact of the Socialist Education Movement

Created social and political tensions in rural communities and further disrupted agricultural production.

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

A campaign to purge capitalist and traditional elements and reassert Mao's authority following the Great Leap Forward failures.

Red Guards

Paramilitary groups formed by students and young people to attack and persecute intellectuals and political opponents.

Cult of Personality during Mao's rule

Mao's image and teachings elevated to a near-religious status through propaganda and indoctrination.

Social Chaos from the Cultural Revolution

Widespread social chaos, violence, and purges disrupting all facets of Chinese society, including the economy.

Economic Stagnation during the Cultural Revolution

Decline in economic production due to closed factories and schools, and the persecution of skilled workers and intellectuals.

Later Years and Readjustment (1969-1976)

Attempts to stabilize the economy and rebuild after the Cultural Revolution, though progress remained limited.

Limited Reforms post-Cultural Revolution

Moderate leaders like Deng Xiaoping initiated pragmatic reforms, but were often undermined by radical Maoists.