Great Leap Forward in China Famine What had the most impact

Question

Impact of Global Trade

politics

human migrants

Answer 1

The Great Leap Forward in China and the subsequent famine had the most impact in terms of politics and human migrants, while the impact of global trade was limited.

1. Politics: The Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign initiated by the Chinese Communist Party under the leadership of Mao Zedong. It aimed to transform China into a socialist society by rapidly industrializing and collectivizing agriculture. However, this campaign led to disastrous consequences due to poor planning and implementation. The Communist Party's policies and political decisions during this period, such as the enforced collectivization of agriculture and the suppression of dissenting voices, had a significant impact on the famine. This political impact resulted in widespread suffering and loss of life, estimated to be around 20-45 million deaths between 1959 and 1961.

2. Human migrants: The Great Leap Forward and subsequent famine led to significant internal migration within China. As people faced starvation and economic hardship in rural areas, many migrated to urban centers in search of food and better opportunities. This mass movement of people contributed to overcrowding, strain on urban resources, and social upheaval. The influx of migrants into urban areas further added to the challenges faced by the government in managing the famine crisis and its aftermath.

3. Impact of Global Trade: While global trade potentially played a role in exacerbating the situation by limiting external aid and access to food imports, its impact on the Great Leap Forward and the famine was relatively limited. During this period, China pursued a policy of self-reliance and closed itself off from many international markets. Its focus was primarily on internal production and redistribution of resources, leading to a decline in international trade. Therefore, the impact of global trade on the famine was not as significant as the political decisions and internal migration resulting from the Great Leap Forward.