The historical event referred to as the "Great Leap Forward" in China was a campaign initiated by the Chinese Communist Party from 1958 to 1962 aimed at rapidly transforming the country from an agrarian society into an industrialized socialist society. Spearheaded by Mao Zedong, this campaign involved mass mobilization of labor to produce steel and promote collective farming. However, it led to disastrous economic consequences, including widespread famine and the deaths of millions due to poor planning and forced labor practices. The Great Leap Forward is often cited as a major failure in Chinese history.