People's Communes

People's Communes were large collective farms in China established during the Great Leap Forward from 1958 to 1962. The goal was to combine agriculture and industry to rapidly boost economic growth and productivity. Villagers lived and worked together, sharing resources and labor. However, due to poor planning, over-reporting of production, and harsh policies, the communes led to widespread famine and economic failure. By the early 1960s, the commune system was dismantled, and the country shifted back to private farming and more decentralized economic practices. Ultimately, the People's Communes are seen as a significant misstep in China's economic history.