5.4 - Student opposition and Tiananmen square 1986 - 89 Flashcards
What were the aims and features of the students protest?
In 1985 students demonstrations broke out in Beijing. These demonstrations spread and were happening all over universities in China.
In Beijing initial protest caused by poor conditions in which the students live and high rent prices caused by te gov economic reforms. Problems were reflected in wider unrest and discontent expressed by workers by strikes. However in universities criticism of economic conditions accompanied by political changes to the gov. Students blamed poor job prospects on the party, saying that it gave better treatment in employment to family members and friends instead of hiring on merit. Students angry about the way the government had placed control on what they were allowed to study.
Students came to believe there was something essentially corrupt with the CCP and using big character posters calling for introduction of democracy in China and for free speech. Calling for multi- party system and free election they wanted an end to the dictatorship of the CCP.
What was the reaction of Deng and the CCP?
Traditionalist members in the CCP were angered by students criticisms. When general secretary of the party Hu Yaobang, seemed to show sympathy for the students criticising the slow pace of the reform, he was sacked in sacking him Deng showed that he was sided with the hard-line conservatives who would not accept any move away from Maoist communism.
Censorship was tightened further and Deng ordered arrest of leaders who he blamed for the unrest. He announced China did not need democracy, because people had enlightened government to rule for them. While this repression and tough approach ended the 1986 protest, it did not address the concerns of the peasants and works created resentments and further protests
What was the events of Tiananmen square 1989?
Protest in 1989 were started by death of Hu Yaobang. Students remembering how he had been sacked for supporting 1986 protest, Gathering large numbers in Tiananmen and square to express sadness about H Yaobang’ s death. Numbers grew further. when Premier Li Peng refused to accept petition asking for greater freedom.
Seriousness of the demonstrations was shown by the fact that transport workers allowed students to travel to Beijing on free public transport.
This was clear sign students had support from other groups in the country. Students organised sit ins and by May 989, 300 of them began a hunger strike frequently fights with police and calls from national newspapers to end protest.
What was the reaction from the of the CCP to the protest?
Reaction of the communist party to the protest was complicated by planned visit of SU leader. Eyes of world were fixed on China thousands of Journalist hurried to capital to report on events. Deng had to deal with the impact of the protestors. Instead of taking action and time to deal with the protestors Deng reorganised the schedule for Gorbachev’s meeting to make sure he wouldn’t see the events.
What were the events on the attack on the protestors?
SU leader returned to SU. Deng declared martial law in China. Situation became more serious when non-student population of Beijing began to join the protest. They shouted that they wanted Democracy and for Deng to go’ Protestors blocked roads and stopped trooping around Beijing to getting to T square. Delayed attempt of the gov to restore order and the gov ended the protest. By 2 June 350,000 PLA troops surrounded T square and they announced it would be cleared following morning.
Protestors resisted attempts to clear them from the square. In a night of violence solider in tanks and armoured vehicles opened fire on them. Many were killed. Many were arrested. Any member of the CCP who showed sympathy was dismissed from office.
Event of T squre demonstrated Deng’s determination to destroy the opposition and end calls for political freedom. In taking actions against the student Deng had acted in the way others had he was prepared to reform Mao’s economic policy but not the government and had to be according to Mao’s believes no democracy was gained
