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Tiananmen Square: What happened in the protests of 1989? - BBC News
BBC News
Overview
This video explains the events leading up to and during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, China. It details how the death of a liberal Communist Party leader, Hu Yaobang, sparked mourning that evolved into widespread protests demanding democracy, freedom of the press, and an end to corruption. The summary outlines the government's initial dismissal of the protests, the escalating tensions, the hunger strike, and the eventual violent crackdown by the military on June 4th, 1989. It also touches on the lasting impact and the continued taboo surrounding the event in China.
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Chapters
- The death of Hu Yaobang, a reform-minded General Secretary of the Communist Party, on April 15, 1989, triggered public mourning.
- College students, who viewed Hu as a liberal figure, began protesting to honor him.
- Mourning quickly transformed into broader protests in Tiananmen Square, demanding an end to corruption and greater freedoms.
Hu Yaobang's death served as the catalyst, channeling existing public discontent into a visible and organized protest movement that would challenge the government.
College students poured onto the streets to mourn Hu Yaobang's passing, which then evolved into protests in Tiananmen Square.
- Protesters called for freedom of the press and political reforms, inspired by the relative openness of the 1980s and reforms in other communist states.
- An official editorial in the People's Daily on April 26th labeled the protests as 'disturbances,' further enraging students and solidifying their resolve.
- Students formed the Beijing Students' Autonomous Federation, demanding dialogue with the government and a retraction of the editorial.
The government's hardline response, particularly the April 26th editorial, escalated the conflict from a mourning event to a direct confrontation over political freedoms and the government's legitimacy.
The People's Daily published an editorial condemning the 'disturbances,' which led to widespread condemnation from students and reignited their protests.
- The May 4th movement, commemorating a 1919 protest, saw over 100,000 students and residents march, indicating growing public support.
- Some leaders, like Zhao Ziyang, initially showed sympathy, offering a brief moment of hope.
- A hunger strike began on May 13th, drawing significant public support and increasing pressure on the government.
The expansion of the protests beyond students and the initiation of the hunger strike demonstrated the widespread nature of dissent and the moral urgency of the students' cause, making a peaceful resolution more difficult.
Hundreds of students began a hunger strike in Tiananmen Square, leading to citizens across Beijing rushing food and drink to support them.
- A meeting between Premier Li Peng and student leaders, including hunger striker Wang Xihua, failed due to irreconcilable demands.
- Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang's visit to the square to urge students to stop their hunger strike was unsuccessful.
- Despite a curfew, Tiananmen Square became a temporary 'island of liberty' for several days.
- The government secretly amassed hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the outskirts of Beijing.
The collapse of dialogue and the government's preparation for military action signaled that the peaceful phase of the protest was over, and a violent resolution was imminent.
Premier Li Peng met with student leaders, including one in a hospital gown on a hunger strike, but the talks ultimately broke down.
- On the night of June 3rd and early morning of June 4th, 1989, military forces moved into Beijing and Tiananmen Square.
- Soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians and students, leading to a violent crackdown.
- The statue of the Goddess of Democracy, a symbol of the movement, was removed.
- The exact death toll remains unknown, with estimates ranging from hundreds to over ten thousand.
- The event is still a taboo subject in mainland China, though vigils are held elsewhere, like Hong Kong.
The violent suppression ended the protest movement, led to significant loss of life, and had profound, lasting implications for China's political development and its relationship with the international community.
Soldiers used gunfire on students and residents as they advanced into Tiananmen Square, ultimately removing the Goddess of Democracy statue.
Key takeaways
- Public mourning for a liberal leader can quickly evolve into widespread political protests when underlying grievances exist.
- Government responses, especially labeling protests as 'disturbances,' can escalate conflict and solidify opposition.
- The desire for democracy, freedom of the press, and an end to corruption are powerful motivators for social movements.
- Hunger strikes can garner significant public sympathy and increase pressure on authorities.
- The failure of dialogue often precedes violent state action against protesters.
- The Tiananmen Square crackdown had a devastating human cost and continues to be a sensitive, suppressed topic in China.
- Historical events can shape a nation's trajectory, with differing interpretations of their necessity and impact.
Key terms
Tiananmen Square ProtestsHu YaobangCommunist Party of ChinaGoddess of DemocracyFreedom of PressCorruptionApril 26th EditorialHunger StrikeMilitary CrackdownJune 4th Massacre
Test your understanding
- What were the primary demands of the students protesting in Tiananmen Square in 1989?
- Why did the death of Hu Yaobang become a catalyst for protests?
- How did the government's official response, particularly the April 26th editorial, impact the protest movement?
- What role did the hunger strike play in the events leading up to the crackdown?
- What were the immediate and long-term consequences of the military crackdown on June 4th, 1989?