The Great Leap Forward (1958-1960)

What was the Great Leap Forward? An economic and social campaign by the communist party and Mao Zedong A change from the traditional agrarian economy into a socialist society Mao wanted China to become a leading industrial power China was reformed into a series of communes

Irony of The Great Leap Forward The Great Leap Forward was launched to accelerate China’s road to Communism Ironically, it created the greatest famine in human history. Mostly due to the maldistribution of food. In the years 1959-1961, between 30 and 40 million people died from starvation (the population of California)

Results/Consequences Mao began to delay his promises to the people and never fully accomplished his goals Workers were forced to make impossible accomplishments About 550,000 people who did not agree with his radical policies were executed The Leap Forward Ultimately caused a large famine as grain reserves were depleted. It is believed that 16.5 million to 40 million were killed

Folklore 1958-1960 “Tell me: An old louse, What does it fear? It fears boiling water, Boiling bubbling water. And the young nun, Tell me, What does she fear? She fears the old monk No more and no less Just the old monk” (Sijie 74) Chinese folklore included music, poetry, dances, tales, and sometimes puppetry, telling stories of human nature or events that occurred in history, as well as love and the supernatural. Pre-Communistic folklore began in China in the year 1918. That year, they began to introduce it as a science in the field of *ethnology, and they slowly began to collect songs and stories, however this went without recognition for another decade. Folklore is presented in the novel when Luo and the narrator travel to visit the old miller and collect his folksongs for four-eyes in exchange for more books. *the study of the characteristics of various peoples and the differences and relationships between them.

Traditional Medicine (1958-1960) CDC and EPS (Epidemic Prevention Station) established in China early 1950s With vaccination, occurrences of diseases such as Smallpox and Typhus were reduced considerably “Patriotic health campaigns” focused on establishing a clean environment and safe drinking water.

Traditional Medicine (1958-1960) Diseases not included in short-lasting health campaigns were neglected and allowed to spread Rural communities only had access to chinese herbal medicine and traditional healers until the mid-1960s Doctors were generally trained for hospital work only Curative care was virtually inaccessible outside cities

Evidence from the Book (p. 76-105) “Transformed, radiant, the old hermit took my wrist, raised it in the air and waved it to and fro in front of the peasants for them to admire the silly yellow buttons.’You know what they are?’ he cried, liquor squirting from his mouth.’They’re the mark of a revolutionary cadre.’”(p.69) “‘Bloody hell! All you’ve got here is a load of smutty rhymes!’ he barked…‘You said you wanted authentic mountain songs,’ Luo reminded him…‘Ye gods! So I did, and I also told you I wanted uplifting lyrics with an undertone of romantic realism.’” (p. 76-77) “‘...You want me to show this to the commune authorities? Your old miller would be accused of spreading erotic material. He may even go to prison…’” (p. 77) “‘Me too. Loathing for everyone who kept these books from us.’”(p. 99)

Jeopardy! 100 200 300 The Great Leap Forward Outcomes Folklore Medicine Evidence/Irony 100 200 300

The Great Leap Forward - 100pts Who was the communist leader of China during the time period? Chairman Mao Back To Game Board

The Great Leap Forward - 200pts Mao wanted China to become a socialist society. True False Back To Game Board

The Great Leap Forward - 300pts Mao wanted China to become a leading _______ power. Industrial Back To Game Board

Were Mao’s goals ever fully accomplished? Outcomes - 100pts Were Mao’s goals ever fully accomplished? Yes No Back To Game Board

Mao let people who disagreed with his policies leave the country. Outcomes - 200pts Mao let people who disagreed with his policies leave the country. True False Back To Game Board

About how many people who disagreed with Mao were executed? Outcomes - 300 pts About how many people who disagreed with Mao were executed? 550,000 Back To Game Board

Folklore - 100pts Folklore consisted of stories involving human events and even the supernatural. True False Back To Game Board

Folklore - 200pts Folklore is presented in the novel when Luo and the narrator go to visit the _______? Old Miller Back To Game Board

Pre-Communist folklore began in the year ____? Folklore - 300pts Pre-Communist folklore began in the year ____? 1918 Back To Game Board

Rural communities had extensive access to new medicines. Medicine - 100pts Rural communities had extensive access to new medicines. True False Back To Game Board

Medicine - 200pts “Patriotic health campaigns” focused on establishing a clean environment and safe drinking water. True False Back To Game Board

Name a disease that vaccines helped to reduce occurrences of. Medicine - 300pts Name a disease that vaccines helped to reduce occurrences of. Smallpox/ Typhus Back To Game Board

Evidence/Irony - 100pts What kind of songs did Four Eyes request from Luo and Ma? Authentic Mountain Songs Back To Game Board

How would the old man be punished for telling the ‘erotic’ poems? Evidence/Irony - 200pts How would the old man be punished for telling the ‘erotic’ poems? Prison Back To Game Board

Explain the irony of The Great Leap Forward. Evidence/Irony - 300pts Explain the irony of The Great Leap Forward. Planned to accelerate China’s advance to Communism, but instead created the greatest famine in human history. Back To Game Board