Communes in China (People's Communes)

Communes in China, known as People's Communes, were large collective communities established during the Maoist era from 1958 to the early 1980s. They aimed to organize rural life around collective farming, shared resources, and communal responsibilities, eliminating private ownership. Each commune encompassed multiple villages, with residents working together on agriculture, industry, and social services, often living and eating communally. While intended to promote equality and self-sufficiency, they faced challenges such as inefficiency and shortages, leading to reforms and the eventual dismantling of the system in favor of household-based farming.