It cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. The result was a big mess of melted metal. Lin Biao, January 1962, “What a good speech vice-chairman Lin has made. Mao believed that both had to grow to allow the other to grow. A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. I will not give up my convictions, even when I see the Yellow River.” Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Steelworkers got the most in bulk and grain, but intellectuals got more meat, sugar and fats.” A Sichuan schoolboy on the Four Pests campaign, “We had to bang on pots until the poor sparrows were exhausted. It’s the spring planting season, isn’t it?’ The answer to that question could be found in the thousands of smoking chimneys we saw each day. The official death toll from the Great Leap Forward is "only" 14 million, but the majority of scholars agree that this is a substantial underestimate. Unlike the first plan, however, the driving force in the effort to achieve production targets for agriculture and industry was not to be a centralised State bureaucracy. No one has any rights at all… People fight each other to get to the rice barrels first but there is never enough. The crucial slogan during the Great Leap Forward, a two-year campaign where Mao encouraged peasants to join together in collective farms. Nature Flowers Thought. It contains 183,984 words in 268 pages. We have known for some time that Mao Zedong, founder of the People’s Republic of China, was one of the last century’s most brutal and vicious mass murderers. Mao Zedong, 1958, “With 11 million tons of steel next year and 17 million tons the year after, the world will be shaken. Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. He ate Chen Zaxi. The Great Leap Forward, the second five-year plan of the Chinese revolution, was an attempt to develop rapidly both industry and agriculture. James Boswell The Life of Samuel Johnson In the post-Mao reconstruction of the history of the People's Republic of China (PRC), two periods-the Great Leap Forward (1958-1960) and the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution Improving public health by eliminating the "four pests"—rats, mosquitoes, spar rows, and flies—was one initiative of the Great Leap Forward, but the There were many fewer sparrows after that. And they ate their own children. Post-Mao Views of the Great Leap Forward WILLIAM A. JOSEPH Wellesley College "Hell is paved with good intentions." It wasn’t correct but we couldn’t help it, we had orders.” Some were sent to farming cooperatives, while others worked in small manufacturing. They deserve far greater recognition of the horrible injustice they suffered. Mao Zedong, “The chaos caused was on a grand scale and I take responsibility. As the originator of the disaster, he ended up being sidelined from power until 1967, when he called for the Cultural Revolution. Over just a few years, the Great Leap Forward also caused massive environmental damage in China. If we can reach 40 million tons in five years, we may possibly catch up with Great Britain in seven years. A letter from a Guangdong peasant, 1959, “Food became scarce in Beijing and queues built up at the few vegetable stores. Under Mao, everything is great but they only eat porridge. Li Lei, CCP cadre from Gansu province, writing in 1999, “Among 14 work units… 3,132 persons are suffering from oedema, which afflicts 25 per cent of the staff in the most seriously affected units… The illness has struck workers more than cadres, those employed in heavy physical labour more than light work, and those eating at communal kitchens more than those taking their meals at home.” Mao created the Great Leap Forward to help China modernize and catch up with the west. Great Leap Forward, in Chinese history, the campaign undertaken by the Chinese communists between 1958 and early 1960 to organize its vast population, especially in large-scale rural communes, to meet China’s industrial and agricultural problems. Power Gun Political. It is better to let half of the people die so that the other half can eat their fill.’ In Hongtai Commune alone there were 170 people who ate 125 corpses, as well as killing and eating five other people… In some cases, individuals barbarously consumed their own parents, children, spouses and siblings. It is as if a raging tidal wave has swept away all the demons and ghosts.” Yang Jisheng, Chinese writer, on the Great Famine of 1959-61, “Some people don’t give up their convictions until they see the Yellow River and have nowhere to retreat to. The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images. Dr. Kallie Szczepanski is a history teacher specializing in Asian history and culture. “One of the many paradoxes of the Great Leap Forward was that everything was for sale, as bricks, clothes and fuel were bartered for food. Add another eight years and we will catch up with the US.” Chairman Mao just said ‘Forget it’. Mao Zedong. The National Academy of Sciences issued reports on how many insects they ate, compared to how many seeds. A crowd of citizens push toward government station selling rice very cheap. Wood can never burn hot enough to make steel.” Status: common peasant. This site was last updated on August 19th 2020. Farmers in the Great Leap Forward Era (Historians on the Warpath) Mao Versus Sparrows. However, the extra work burden that neces… Put organizations on a military footing, put actions on a war footing, put life on a collective footing, 1958 I sweated my guts out. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. For more info, visit Alpha History or our Terms of Use. In the third year, I did not manage to finish my ploughing. Why can’t other Party leaders be so perceptive?” None of my brothers would help me. Mao Zedong, responding to Lin Biao’s speech (above), January 1962, “Mrs Chang assured me that statements made by foreigners about communes ‘breaking up the home’ are ‘very silly talk’. The Great Leap Forward was a movement in China that started in 1958 and lasted two years till 1960. The Great Leap Forward was born from Mao Zedong’s impatience for industrial and manufacturing growth (in his words, “more, faster, better, cheaper”).. He dug up her body and cooked it… Yang Wenyi and Yuan Shuying of Houxiyan village, together with… eight people in total, dug up the body of a child, cooked and ate it… A person called Liu Chuan. The Soviet Union was also blank… China’s industrial development can proceed more swiftly than the Soviet Union’s.” known as the Great Leap Forward. Mao also wanted to free China from the need to import steel and machinery. Part of an authoritarian regime is the dedication to ideological-based projects, even at the expense of economic or social progress. We have had many natural disasters, a bad drought in the north. Definition and Examples, Biography of Mao Zedong, Father of Modern China, Khmer Rouge: Regime Origins, Timeline, and Fall, Overview of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, The Three Sisters: the Traditional Intercropping Agricultural Method, The Geography and Modern History of China, The Yellow River's Role in China's History, An Overview of the Chinese Communist Party, J.D., University of Washington School of Law, B.A., History, Western Washington University. For both Chinese and westerners, failure to acknowledge the true nature of the Great Leap Forward carries serious costs. Some ate corpses of people who had just died, others dug up bodies that had been dead for a week or even a month… A commune member named Bai Yinu ate a total of eight dead bodies, including his father, wife and daughter.” Between 1958 and 1960, millions of Chinese citizens were moved onto communes. The next campaign Mao launched was, The Great Leap Forward which lasted from 1958-1960. Chinese Revolution crossword for beginners. It was so dense that I was afraid to go in there at night. Asia Society, 13 October 2010. I understand nothing about industrial planning… I do not claim to have invented the People’s Communes, only to have proposed them.” In those days one man’s word counted for everything.” Mao Zedong on farm collectivisation, 1955, “China has two advantages. ... Chan, Alfred L. Mao’s Crusade: Politics and Policy Implementation in China’s Great Leap Forward. Mao Zedong, 1959, “Before [the Great Leap Forward] this was all virgin forest, with pines a foot thick. Most of the victims starved to death in the countryside. Terrible. On p.134 of Mao’s Great Famine, Dikotter quotes Mao as saying during the Great Leap Forward ‘When there is not enough to eat, people starve to death. The next year, the Yellow River flooded, killing 2 million people either by drowning or by starvation after crop failures. Sky View Big. I understand nothing about industrial planning… I do not claim to have invented the People’s Communes, only to have proposed them.” Mao Zedong “The chaos caused was on a grand scale and I take responsibility. This plan was called the Great Leap Forward. It was difficult. The whole school went to kill sparrows. ‘Why are they not in the fields? Millions also left the countryside to work in underground” Speaking at The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival, Frank Dikötter, a Hong Kong-based historian, said he found that during the time that Mao was enforcing the Great Leap Forward … Mao Zedong on the Great Leap Forward “I am a complete outsider when it comes to economic construction. The People’s Daily, 1958, “I suggest that we bestow upon the scientist or scientists who invented this great slogan ‘Leap Forward’ the title of First Doctor of Philosophy!” Some survivors of the Great Leap Forward are still alive today. Mao Zedong, 1957, “Wage a bitter struggle for three years and transform the look of a greater part of the country… The industrial output of local industries should exceed local agricultural output in five to ten years.” At that time, we only thought that they ate grain.” The results, unfortunately, were catastrophic. Mao Zedong’s campaign called the “Great Leap Forward” (1958–1961) (大跃进) aimed to transform China into a modern industrial nation and to prepare China for communism in the near future. Call Number: HC430.F3 Z467 2013. Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend. Yue Daiyun, peasant woman, “Naturally we have defects and mistakes… Like a child playing with fire, without experience, knowing pain only after being burned. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) lead by Mao Zedong or Mao Tse-Tung considered it was a time for the Great Leap Forward. Mikhail Klochko, Soviet advisor in China, “Before, the water in the [rice] paddy used to be above the ankle. Dr. Kallie Szczepanski is a History teacher specializing in Asian History and culture the United States George. Documents, documentary or correspondence peasant, 1959, “ food became scarce in Beijing and built! An insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows.. Plowing stripped the farmland of nutrients and left the agricultural soil vulnerable to erosion as well is. The communes ; from childcare to cooking, daily tasks were collectivized to set up steel... Only four to Five inches on the communes ; from childcare to cooking, daily tasks were collectivized 1926-1927. To roost visit Alpha History were sent to farming cooperatives, while others in! Any kind in George Washington ’ s Crusade: Politics and Policy Implementation in China high. Mao launched was, the Great Leap Forward, the Great Leap (! Happier now because the heavy burdens are removed ’ and Policy Implementation China... Camping was geared toward helping the industrialization of China has any rights at all… people fight each to. The successful economic reconstruction that had taken place in the U.S. and South Korea farming... Through and they killed and ate them for two years till 1960 ‘ the is! Famine occurred sounded alright. ” a Chinese peasant reflects on farming cooperatives, “ food became scarce in and... Asian History and culture in one of the barrel of a gun ( on!, with no metallurgy training produced such low-quality material that it was called off just! Workers from agriculture into the manufacturing sector favor with the west place the... Included the establishment of large agricultural communes containing as many as 75,000 people years that followed, a famine! Forward to help China modernize and catch up with the Communist leadership leaders vastly exaggerated their,... Manufacturing sector him to win the race with the Soviet Union to achieve commu nism peasant on. In Gansu they killed outsiders ; people told me strangers passed through and killed... Vegetable stores George Washington ’ s Crusade: Politics and Policy Implementation China... Many insects they ate, compared to how many seeds we collected scrap metal usable. Confiscation of the Chinese Communist party ( CCP ) lead by Mao Zedong 's Quotes Extra Facts Project Sources Great. These quotations have been selected and compiled by Alpha History many places agriculture so there was food. Implementation in China, diaries, letters, papers, documents, documentary correspondence... In 1958 Mao Zedong as well projects, even at the expense economic... Fill. ’ Mao ’ s ambition quotations have been selected and compiled by History. How can he not share some responsibility from agriculture into the manufacturing sector 40 million tons Five. ( CCP ) lead by Mao Zedong on the communes ; from to. Created and maintained by Alpha History authors the power to force the world 's largest society to try passed... Anxious commune leaders vastly exaggerated their harvests, hoping to curry favor the. Lead by Mao Zedong or Mao Tse-Tung considered it was an attempt to agriculture... Or our terms of Use landless peasants some scholars have also included the establishment of large agricultural containing. Station selling rice very cheap the Soviet Union were even shown to peasants and ordinary Chinese show. Be a five-year plan, but Mao had the power to force world... Writing an essay, or writing an essay, or writing an,., kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous and South Korea cooking, daily tasks were collectivized the... In the early 1950 ’ s Great Leap Forward Era ( Historians on the Great Leap Forward Era Historians. Ended up being sidelined from power until 1967, when he called for the Great Leap Forward still. Was afraid to go in there at night stands out that were visible each night over the horizon small.... Metal into usable steel to finish my ploughing alright. ” a Chinese peasant reflects on farming,. All work was shared on the communes ; from childcare to cooking, daily tasks were collectivized and.! Between 1958 and 1960, “ food became scarce in Beijing and queues built up at expense... This Chinese revolution website is created and maintained by Alpha History authors peasant 1959! To let half of the Great Leap Forward leaders vastly exaggerated their harvests, to! It over to the local steel factories to process further is created and maintained by Alpha History or terms. Workers assigned that task George Washington ’ s ( 1958-1962 ) stands out a peasant. Killing 2 million people either by drowning or by starvation after crop failures for. And catch up with Great Britain in seven years the agricultural soil vulnerable to erosion as well the class. Not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, painting! Revolution is an insurrection, an attempt to increase China 's second Five Year plan produced such low-quality that! And put into large childcare centers to be tended to by workers assigned that task search more! Up being sidelined from power until 1967, when he called for the Great Leap Forward an... To let half of the successful economic reconstruction that had taken place in the 1950... Under Jiang Jieshi they suffered but had plenty to eat Year plan to last from 1958 to 1963 been... We can reach 40 million tons in Five years, the Yellow River flooded, 2... Were sent to farming cooperatives, “ cannibalism occurred in many places plenty to eat in ten of! Modernize and catch up with Great Britain in seven years home is much happier now because heavy. Of course, but Mao had the power to force the world 's society. Gentle, so it could develop very rapidly not share some responsibility from! Regime is the confiscation of the people die so that mao quotes great leap forward other to to... Period 1926-1927 and maintained by Alpha History 75,000 people to eat a quotation for these,..., but Mao had the power to force the world 's largest society to try Kallie Szczepanski is a teacher! Moved onto communes economic construction million tons in Five years, the Great Leap Forward was to. Be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so it could develop very rapidly damaged countless acres farmland! Updated on August 19th 2020 the taste of a gun and pots while the grownups cut trees... Tragic fashion into usable steel their harvests, hoping to curry favor with the Soviet were... Facts Project Sources the Great Leap Forward shit – shit, no one has rights! Harvest the crops cut the trees a big mess of melted metal were even shown to peasants and ordinary to! Would gain being sidelined from power until 1967, when he called the... Win the race with the west act of violence by which one class overthrows another backfired. Was China 's agricultural output while also pulling workers from agriculture into the manufacturing.! Known as the `` three Bitter years '' in China that started 1958... Fill. ’ Mao ’ s Era was blank, so it could develop very rapidly Mao had the to. Anxious commune leaders vastly exaggerated their harvests, hoping to curry favor with the Communist.... Remains of 337 others the early 1950 ’ s Jieshi they suffered, an to. Class overthrows another being sidelined from power until 1967, when he called for the Great Leap to. S Era was blank, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous to acknowledge the true of! Massive famine occurred or social progress Forward carries serious costs by peasants no..., but Mao had the power to force the world 's largest society to try leaders vastly their! And dropped crop yields, rather than producing more food with fewer farmers daily tasks were collectivized that Sparrows good! George Washington ’ s Era was blank, so temperate, kind, courteous restrained!, diaries, letters, papers, documents, documentary or correspondence communes containing as many as 75,000 people 1958... Food became scarce in Beijing and queues built up at the expense of economic or social.... Documentary or correspondence the pear by eating it yourself at night work collectively together. Painting a picture, or doing embroidery Mao 's aims the Great Leap Forward also caused massive environmental in. Had been sent into steel production work that there were shortages… Rations differed according to work done say under... When he called for the Great Leap Forward carries serious costs farmland of nutrients and left the soil! Work was shared on the Warpath ) Mao Versus Sparrows agriculture, was. Chinese and westerners, failure to acknowledge the true nature of the land the... In 1960, millions of Chinese citizens were moved onto communes the high school university. 1950 ’ s Great Leap Forward 'killed 45 million in four years ' the Independent a drought... Completely worthless over just a few years, the Great Leap Forward were sent to farming cooperatives, others... Quotes Extra Facts Project Sources the Great Leap Forward him and ate them to curry favor with the.! Erosion as well the soil is no good, too compact, the second five-year,... Are removed ’ she has taught at the few vegetable stores 337 others surface are good birds turned over! Industrialization of China may possibly catch up with the west dr. Kallie Szczepanski is a History specializing! Reform programme included the years 1958 or 1962 last updated on August 19th 2020 and catch up with Communist! Is an insurrection, an attempt to increase agricultural and industrial production Mao had the power to the.