b. Transition to socialism: successes and failures 1953 - 1962
Mao's aim was to transform China into a modern power to avoid it being exploited by other countries as had happened previously. At the same time he wanted to create a truly socialist nation. The First Five Year Plan based on Soviet support and economic planning was very successful in creating progress towards both of these aims. However agricultural production lagged behind and Mao was keen to break with the Soviet...