Mao's Agricultural Policies and China's Modernization
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How important were Mao’s agricultural policies to the modernisation of China by 1960? Explain your answer.
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Mao's agricultural policies were important to the modernization of China by 1960 in some aspects, but also had significant drawbacks.
On one hand, Mao's land reform in 1950 redistributed land from the landlord classes to peasants, leading to increased food production. This was further supported by the creation of cooperatives and collective farms, with 95% of the peasant population living in such farms by 1956. The elimination of private ownership allowed for the consolidation of farming expertise and resources, resulting in the use of new machinery, tools, and farming methods. Additionally, the development of communes in 1958 facilitated industrial and mining growth in rural areas, leading to the production of 11 million tonnes of steel per year and a 45% increase in iron production in 1958 alone. These policies also allowed for the construction of schools and hospitals in communes, contributing to the education and wellbeing of peasants and workers.
On the other hand, the Great Leap Forward, a movement initiated by Mao, diverted resources from agriculture to focus on industrial targets. This resulted in a severe shortage of food production and led to a devastating mass famine, with an estimated 20-40 million people starving to death by 1960. This setback undermined the progress made in improving living conditions through social reforms such as advancements in healthcare, women's rights, and education.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the success of Mao's agricultural policies was also influenced by external factors. The Soviet Union provided aid in the form of capital and expertise during the 1950s, supporting the modernization efforts, particularly in heavy industry.
In summary, while Mao's agricultural policies had positive impacts, such as increased food production, the negative consequences, particularly the famine caused by the Great Leap Forward, cannot be ignored. Additionally, external factors, such as Soviet aid, played a significant role in the modernization of China during this period.
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How important were Mao’s agricultural policies to the modernisation of China by 1960? Explain your answer. Yes Mao initiated land reform in 1950 to redistribute land to the peasants from the landlord classes; created cooperatives and collective farms; 95% of peasant population lived in collective farms by 1956; private ownership ceased to exist and peasants received a wage; led to increased food production as expertise and farms were joined together; new machinery and tools used; newer farming methods shared; development of communes in 1958 allowed for the development of industry and mining in rural areas; backyard furnaces produced 11 million tonnes of steel per year and iron production rose by 45% in 1958 alone; allowed schools and hospitals to be built to educate peasants and workers in communes, etc. No Great Leap Forward saw many peasants focus on industrial targets at the expense of the harvest; led to mass famine in China with 20–40 million starving to death by 1960; more important – First Five-Year Plan focused on heavy industry and was successful; oil, steel, iron all saw production levels surpass targets; expansion of urban centres and improvements to infrastructure such as rail; social reforms towards women, healthcare and education improved living conditions for many peasant families; Soviet aid in the 1950s through loans of capital and expertise, etc.