Gourt Home::Gourt :: People's commune
The People's commune () in the People's Republic of China, were formerly the highest of three administrative levels in rural areas during the period of 1958 to 1982-85 until they were replaced by townships. Communes, the largest collective units, were divided in turn into production brigades and production teams. The communes had governmental, political, and economic functions.
History
The People's commune was born during the Great Leap Forward, when Mao Zedong had a vision of surpassing United Kingdom and the United States in a short period of time in terms of steel production. Also, Mao would like to mobalize peasants to undertake huge water projects during the winter slack seasons in order to improve agricultural productivity
Each commune was a combinition of smaller farm collectives, consisted of 4,000-5,000 households and larger ones can consist of up to 20,000 households.
The Peopls' commune was made official state policy in 1958 after Mao Zedong visited an unofficial commune in Henan.
Formation
In order to put this radical plan into action, Mao used the Anti-Rightist Campaign to silence his political opponents so he faced virtually no opposition when he finally implemented the People's commune. Using various propaganda campaigns, Mao gained the initial support of the peasants.
All farming activities were to be centrally assigned by candres in every morning and household cookings were abolished, replaced by communal dining.
The People's communes were formed in support of the Great Leap Forward campaign and remains an inseperable part of the campaign. (As shown in the "Three Red Flag" propaganda poster)
See also
"People's commune"