Question

Why did the Great Leap Forward fail?

Answer 1

It was unrealistic in its execution.

Explanation:

Mao's attempts to modernise China through The Great Leap Forward and at the same time maintaining isolation from the world were incompatible,

For example the production of small scale steel was unproductive, uncompetitive and produced steel of a very poor quality. Only when China opened up after Mao's death did they start to seriously develop economically.

If we now look at areas such as steel and car production along with China's investments in areas of British infrastructure such as the Nuclear Power industry we can see to what extent the situation has been reversed.