"The Great Leap Forward" refers to a major social and economic campaign initiated by the Chinese Communist Party, spearheaded by Mao Zedong from 1958 to 1962. Aimed at rapidly transforming China from an agrarian society into a socialist society through industrialization and collectivization, the campaign involved the establishment of large collective farms and the promotion of backyard steel production. Unfortunately, the Great Leap Forward resulted in widespread famine, economic disruption, and millions of deaths, making it one of the deadliest famines in history. Its failures prompted a reevaluation of economic policies in China and contributed to the eventual reforms in the late 20th century.