Tiananmen Square -1989

Background

• By 1980 Deng Xiaoping emerged as the powerful communist leader in China

• He implemented the Four Modernizations which called for progress in agriculture, industry, defense, and science and technology

• Deng’s economic reforms increased food production, gave more freedom to industry managers, increased incomes, increased consumption, and opened doors for Western technology and style

Causes

• However, the gap between the rich and poor widened

• Chinese officials began accepting bribes and enjoying privileges others did not have

• The new policies also opened doors for Western political ideas

• Chinese students began studying the West and began questioning China’s lack of political freedom

Actions

• In 1989 Chinese students sparked an uprising

• Beginning in April 100,000 thousand students occupied Tiananmen Square, a huge public space at the heart of Beijing

• Students protested for democracy and won popular support

• Many students boldly called for Deng to resign

This picture shows the protest in Tiananmen Square. Students chanted “Down with corruption! Down with dictatorship! Long live democracy!” Many people poured into Tiananmen Square in addition to the 100,000 students to show their support and discontent.

Counteraction• Deng ordered 250,000 thousand troops to surround

Beijing• On June 4, 1989 the standoff ended with thousands

of armed soldiers and tanks storming Tiananmen Square

• The assault killed hundreds and wounded thousands

• Tiananmen Square began a campaign to detain protesters

• Police arrested about 10,000 people and used media to cover up the assault in Tiananmen Square

• Campaign left Deng firmly in control of China, however in 1997 Deng died and Jiang Zemin became the Communist Party leader

China After Deng• Jiang had questions surrounding him about what kind

of leader he would be• Jiang faced challenges from rivals who wanted to

divert away from Deng’s economic policies• During 1990’s the U.S. pressure China to release

political prisoners and ensure basic human rights• China resisted the pro-democracy movement but the

desire for freedom still ran through Chinese society• In 1997, Jiang paid a visit to the U.S. and protesters

demanded democracy in freedom• Jiang admitted that China made mistakes but refused

to promise a change in China’s political policies• To this day China still remains a communist

government

Works Cited

• Global History Textbook:– Patterns of Interaction

• Pages 932-935