CCP Slogan

Great Leap Forward Great Leap Forward P2
« Great Leap Forward

English Translation: "Strengthen exercise, improve skills. Strive to be among the top three in the National Games next year!" 

By promoting physical fitness and skill development, the slogan aimed to cultivate a sense of discipline, determination, and national pride among the population. It encouraged individuals to actively participate in sports and athletic activities, highlighting the importance of physical strength and endurance in supporting the goals of economic and social development.

Additionally, the mention of the National Games reflects the desire to showcase China's achievements and competitiveness on a national stage. The government saw sports competitions as an opportunity to demonstrate the strength and vitality of the nation, both domestically and internationally. The goal of placing among the top three in the National Games symbolized the aspiration for national sporting excellence and recognition.

English Translation: "Promote advanced experiences, accelerate the construction of our motherland."

The slogan aims to accelerate the nation's building and growth by encouraging the diffusion of sophisticated experiences. It encouraged individuals, communities, and organizations to research effective models and practices, adapt them to local situations, and implement them in their respective fields of activity. This strategy aimed to organize the population's collective efforts in order to achieve rapid advances in productivity and general development.

The slogan also reflects the broader emphasis on self-reliance and independent development during the Great Leap Forward. By promoting the adoption of advanced experiences, the government sought to reduce reliance on external assistance and showcase the potential for domestic innovation and progress.

English Translation: "Work with full enthusiasm, strive to forge ahead. Build socialism with speed, quality, and thrift."

"鼓足干劲,力争上游" emphasizes the need to boost morale and motivation, urging people to exert their full efforts and push themselves to excel. It conveys a sense of competition and the desire to outperform others, reflecting the competitive spirit that permeated the Great Leap Forward period.

The second part of the slogan, "多快好省地建设社会主义," highlights the key principles of the campaign. "多快" refers to the emphasis on speed, urging rapid progress and development. "好" emphasizes the importance of quality, emphasizing the need for high standards in all aspects of construction and production. "省" refers to thrift or efficiency, calling for the optimal use of resources and avoiding waste.

The slogan encapsulates the Great Leap Forward's broad aspirations of fast industrialisation, agricultural development, and social revolution. It represents the desire to expedite progress, raise living conditions, and construct a socialist society in a short period of time.

English Translation: "Chairman Mao waves his hand, I move forward, going to the countryside and mountains to engage in revolution."

"毛主席挥手我前进" signifies the inspiration and guidance provided by Chairman Mao. It expresses the notion that under his leadership, the people are motivated to advance and work tirelessly to realize the goals of the revolution.

"下乡上山干革命" highlights the call to action for individuals to actively participate in revolutionary activities. "下乡" refers to the movement of people from urban areas to the countryside, emphasizing the importance of agricultural production and rural development. "上山" represents the involvement of individuals in labor-intensive tasks such as mining and construction, which were seen as crucial for the advancement of the revolution.

The slogan reflects the belief that active participation in revolutionary work, both in rural and mountainous areas, is essential for the success of the Great Leap Forward. It embodies the spirit of self-sacrifice, dedication, and willingness to work in challenging conditions to achieve the revolutionary goals set forth by Chairman Mao and the Communist Party.


English Translation: "Participate in pig insurance, promote increased production in rural areas."

"参加养猪保险" encourages farmers to participate in pig insurance programs. This highlights the government's effort to provide support and protection to farmers engaged in pig farming by offering insurance coverage for potential losses. The aim was to incentivize farmers to invest in pig production and mitigate risks, ultimately promoting the growth of pig farming.

"促进农村增产" emphasizes the broader objective of increasing agricultural production in rural areas. The slogan underscores the importance of rural development and the role of increased productivity in meeting the food demands of the growing population.

The slogan reflects the government's focus on agricultural development and the prioritization of pig farming as a means to boost rural production during the Great Leap Forward. It conveys the message that by participating in pig insurance programs and increasing pig farming activities, farmers can contribute to the overall goal of enhancing agricultural output and achieving self-sufficiency.

English Translation: "Hold high the great banner of the general line, strive for new victories!"

The "总路线" (general line) referred to Mao Zedong's strategic vision and guiding principles for socialist construction in China. It encompassed various aspects, including economic development, social transformation, and political mobilization. The slogan emphasizes the importance of upholding and promoting Mao's general line as the guiding force in advancing the revolution and achieving new successes.

"高举" (hold high) signifies the need for unwavering commitment and active promotion of the general line. It implies a call to rally around Mao's leadership and ideological framework. By holding high the banner of the general line, the slogan encourages people to firmly adhere to Mao's principles and work towards the goals set forth by the Communist Party.

"争取新的胜利" (strive for new victories) reflects the forward-looking and optimistic spirit of the Great Leap Forward era. It calls for continuous efforts and determination to achieve new successes in various aspects of societal development, including economic growth, social progress, and political consolidation.

The slogan embodies the mobilization and ideological fervor that characterized the Great Leap Forward period. It reflects the belief in the transformative power of the general line and the collective effort to realize Mao's vision of rapid development and social transformation. The slogan aimed to inspire and unite the masses in their pursuit of new victories and the realization of socialist goals.

English Translation: "Rev up our enthusiasm, strive to surpass others, build socialism rapidly, well, and thriftily."

"鼓足干劲" (rev up our enthusiasm) signifies the call to mobilize and energize the masses to actively participate in the socialist construction. It encourages people to be motivated and dedicated in their work, reflecting the emphasis on enthusiasm and zeal as key drivers of progress.

"力争上游" (strive to surpass others) highlights the competitive aspect of the Great Leap Forward. It urges people to aim for higher productivity, surpassing previous achievements and surpassing other countries in economic and social development. The slogan reflects the desire for China to catch up and even surpass more advanced nations.

"多快好省地建设社会主义" (build socialism rapidly, well, and thriftily) emphasizes the importance of efficiency, effectiveness, and frugality in the process of socialist construction. It calls for achieving rapid economic growth, while ensuring the quality of development and the careful use of resources.

The slogan encapsulates the Great Leap Forward's objectives of rapid industrialization and agricultural modernization, driven by collective efforts and a strong belief in the transformative power of socialist principles. It reflects the spirit of pushing boundaries and aiming for ambitious goals in a short period.


English Translation: "Catch up with and surpass Britain within fifteen years; John rides a cow, I ride a horse, what's there to compare?"

The first part of the slogan, "十五年内赶上和超过英国" (Catch up with and surpass Britain within fifteen years), expresses the desire to achieve rapid economic development and industrialization that would place China on par with or even exceed the industrial prowess of Britain, a global economic power at the time. This reflects the aspiration to bridge the gap between China and more advanced countries, both economically and technologically.

The second part of the slogan, "约翰骑牛我骑马,赛不过他像啥话" (John rides a cow, I ride a horse, what's there to compare?), uses a metaphorical comparison to convey the idea that China, with its vast population and abundant resources, has the potential to outpace other nations in development. The imagery of John riding a cow symbolizes backwardness and underdevelopment, while the speaker riding a horse represents progress and advancement. The phrase suggests that China's development should not be limited by comparisons to other countries, as it has its own unique advantages and capabilities.

The slogan reflects the ambitious and optimistic spirit of the Great Leap Forward, which aimed to rapidly transform China's economy and society through collective efforts and industrialization. However, it is important to note that the actual outcomes of the Great Leap Forward fell short of these lofty goals, as the period was marked by widespread economic disruptions, resource mismanagement, and a significant loss of life during the Great Chinese Famine.

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