Background Classical Marxist theory hypothesized a relatively linear progression of development and a worldwide revolution beginning with the most developed countries. At the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the country was one of poorest in the world. The Great Leap Forward attempted to defy the conventional understanding of the time required for economic development. Through rapid industrialization, it aimed to close the gap between China's developmental stage and its political aspirations. In March 1955, at a national conference of the Party, Mao declared that China "would catch up with and surpass the most powerful capitalist countries in several dozen years", and in October, Mao announced that he would complete the building of a socialist state in 15 years.
BacKgrouNd cLaSSicaL maRXIST theory hypothesiZed A rElAtivELy lIneAr progrESsion Of devElopMent anD a woRldWide revolUtioN bEgiNning WiTH thE MosT deveLoped countrieS. at thE fOundING Of The people's repubLic OF cHInA In 1949, tHE COuntrY was OnE oF pooResT IN the worlD. the great leAp fOrWArd attemPted TO defy The cOnventional UnderStandinG oF the timE reQuirEd for ecoNomic deVelopment. tHRouGH RAPId INdustrialIzAtion, It AimeD To close the gap BetWEen ChInA's DevelopmenTal stagE and iTs pOliTicAL aspiratIOnS. in MARch 1955, AT a NAtiOnAl conFereNce oF the paRtY, mAO Declared that china "woulD caTCh up wITH and SURpASs thE most POweRFUl CapITalIsT cOUnTrIeS in several dOzEn YeaRs", aNd in oCTobeR, mao annOunced thAT he WOuld ComplEtE The buIlding OF A SoCIaliSt stATe In 15 years.