The Great Leap Forward, initiated in 1958 by the Chinese Communist Party under Mao Zedong, aimed to rapidly transform China from an agrarian society into a socialist society through industrialization and collectivization. This campaign enforced the creation of communes and prioritized steel production over agricultural practices, leading to disastrous consequences, notably widespread famine. The policy drastically reshaped Chinese society by disrupting traditional farming practices and creating a massive shift in labor. It intensified state control over resources and set the stage for significant disillusionment with Mao's policies, contributing to future reforms in China's economic approach.