Final answer:
The Great Leap Forward, initiated by Mao Zedong in 1958, disastrously led to the Great Chinese Famine, causing the death of millions due to misguided policies focusing on industrial growth over agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward in China was devastating. Launched in 1958, the program aimed to rapidly transform China from an agrarian society to an industrial superpower. However, the policies of collectivization and a misguided focus on industrial growth led to the neglect of agriculture, resulting in a catastrophic famine. This famine, known as the Great Chinese Famine, caused the deaths of millions of people, with estimates ranging widely from 20 to 40 million. Instead of prosperity and industrial strength, the Great Leap Forward brought economic disaster, social chaos, and an immense human cost. The closest answer to the student's question is B: Mao's focus on rural steel production led to widespread famine and starvation.