Mao's modernisation of the People's Republic of China in the Great Leap Forward

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject History - Asia, grade: 2.1, University of Central Lancashire, course: Modern World History, language: English, abstract: Chairman Mao made two major attempts to modernise the People's Republic of China with the Great Leap Forward from 1958 to 1962 and the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976. Stuart Schram presents the view that these modernisation attempts were poorly planned and led to disastrous outcomes. Other historians such as Roger Howard suggest that Mao had a strong political consciousness and understanding of the needs of his people. This essay will explore the two major modernisation attempts, making reference to the thoughts of Chairman Mao as a server of the people and why his modernisation attempts may have been more detrimental rather than beneficial to his nation.