1958+Backyard+Steel+Campaign

1958 Backyard Steel Campaign


 * 1.Details:**


 * was one of the main campaign within the Great Leap Forward
 * Mao believed that mass production of steel will improve China’s economy and lead to fast success of industrialization
 * Became national movement; even ministers and generals joined
 * Weakness:
 * Useless because different steel mixed together
 * Authorities knew that self-made worthless but didn’t dare to mention it
 * Deforestation because of backyard furnaces


 * 2.How this helped Mao to consolidate/maintain power**

Although campaign did not fulfill its purpose, it was still helpful since it made the peasants feel like they were doing something and support for Mao continued.