The Communes

Mao built communism in the countryside first - building communes and forcing the peasants to live in them.

Property was taken away and every part of their lives was strictly monitered.

By 1956 Mao was emboldened by the success of moving peasants into the co-operatives but production outputs were still disappointing with it only rising by 3.8%. Grain production only rose by 1% in 1957 and rationing of cotton cloth had to be implemented due to shortages.

The communes were to be vast in size and incorporate both agricultural and industrial production. This was known as "walking on two legs".

All private farms were abolished and the first ever commune was established in Henan province in july 1958 - named 'Sputnik Commune' after Russian satalite.

The average size was approximately 5500 households. Mao believed this mass mobilisation of the people would allow industry and agriculture to be developed instantaneously within the communes. 

Each would produce their own food as well as having factories for producing industrial goods such as tools and farm machinery. 

Mess halls…