# 344. Chairman Mao: The Great Leap Forward (Ep 5)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/empire-world-history-5636450/344-chairman-mao-the-great-leap-forward-ep-5
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/empire-world-history-5636450/344-chairman-mao-the-great-leap-forward-ep-5.md
Podcast: [Empire: World History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/empire-world-history-5636450)
Published: 2026-03-24T00:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT1089608764.mp3?updated=1774289353
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT1089608764.mp3?updated=1774289353
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/empire-world-history-5636450/episodes/344-chairman-mao-the-great-leap-forward-ep-5
Duration seconds: 2946

## Resource

Why did Mao declare war on sparrows as part of The Great Leap Forward? What caused China to attack India in 1962? How did Mao use a swimming pool to embarrass Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev? Anita and William are joined once again by Rana Mitter, author of A Bitter Revolution: China’s Struggle with the Modern World, and Modern China: A Very Short Introduction, to discuss The Great Leap Forward and its consequences. Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Editor: Bruno Di Castri Researcher: Imogen Marriott Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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