The Institutional Causes of China's Great Famine, 1959–1961
Xin Meng,Nancy Qian,Pierre Yared — The Institutional Causes of China's Great Famine, 1959–1961 (2015)Xin Meng; Nancy Qian; Pierre Yared · 2015 · Article · abstract (16.5 to 45 million in rural areas)EstablishedSource attached · not independently reviewedCLM-1084 · as of 2026-10-30 · about: China under Mao: party-state, planning and mass campaigns (1949–1976) · Author: Polity Atlas editorial team
“Excess deaths in China's Great Leap Forward famine of 1959–61 are estimated at between 16.5 and 45 million, depending on assumptions and methods.”
Context. The range reflects different baselines for normal mortality and fertility. Ashton et al. (1984) estimated about 30 million; Yang Jisheng about 36 million; Dikötter, from party archives, at least 45 million. The official 1981 Resolution acknowledged 'serious losses' but gave no figure.
Evidence that supports
5The Causes of China's Great Leap Famine, 1959–1961
James Kai-sing Kung,Justin Yifu Lin — The Causes of China's Great Leap Famine, 1959–1961 (2003)James Kai-sing Kung; Justin Yifu Lin · 2003 · Article · introduction (16.5 to 30 million)Famine in China, 1958–61
Basil Ashton,Kenneth Hill,Alan Piazza,Robin Zeitz — Famine in China, 1958–61 (1984)Basil Ashton; Kenneth Hill; Alan Piazza; Robin Zeitz · 1984 · ArticleTombstone: The Great Chinese Famine, 1958–1962
Yang Jisheng — Tombstone: The Great Chinese Famine, 1958–1962 (2012)Yang Jisheng · 2012 · BookMao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958–1962
Frank Dikötter — Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958–1962 (2010)Frank Dikötter · 2010 · BookEvidence that contradicts
0No counter-evidence recorded.
Status history
No earlier revisions.
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