Land reforms in China during the 20th century were significant as they aimed to redistribute land from the wealthy landowners to the impoverished peasantry. Initiated mainly during the 1950s, these reforms sought to eliminate feudal practices and increase agricultural productivity. The redistribution not only improved the living conditions of millions of peasants but also helped legitimize the Communist Party's rule. However, political campaigns like the Great Leap Forward later undermined these reforms and resulted in widespread famine. Overall, these land reforms marked a pivotal shift in China's social structure and contributed to the foundation of a collective agricultural system.