Question

Overall, was the Great Leap Forward a giant step backward? Why or why not? Write a brief paragraph that included a thesis statement and at least three pieces of supporting evidence.

Answer 1

The Great Leap Forward, initiated by Mao Zedong in 1958, was indeed a giant step backward for China, leading to devastating economic and social consequences. Firstly, the campaign falsely prioritized rapid industrialization and collectivization, resulting in a catastrophic decline in agricultural productivity, which contributed to a famine that claimed the lives of an estimated 15 to 45 million people. Secondly, the emphasis on unproven and poorly executed policies, such as backyard furnaces for steel production, diverted resources away from essential agricultural work, leading to further food shortages. Finally, the ideological zeal of the Great Leap Forward undermined social stability and eroded trust in the Communist Party, as the consequences of failed policies led to widespread disillusionment among the populace. Overall, the Great Leap Forward not only set back China's economic development but also caused profound human suffering, illustrating the perils of ideological extremism in policy-making.