Political Opposition The Communist party does not tolerate

Political Opposition The Communist party does not tolerate opposition although occasionally criticism has been allowed 1957, Mao Zedong launched the ‘Hundred Flowers Campaign’ The people were told to voice their opinions but it led to massive protests Quickly abandoned and people were persecuted 1.

A New Era In 1978, a new leader Deng Xiaoping, came to lead the communist party in China. He promised a new era, an increase in freedom, and a more open attitude toward the West.

A New Era Slowly, Deng introduced more freedom: farmers were allowed to own their land; limited freedom of speech and expression began to spread throughout China.

A New Era Through SEZ (Special Economic Zone) Western businesses were invited to locate in China. Western ideas of freedom and democracy began to take root as well.

The Democracy Wall People began to post essays, artwork, and poems on the bulletin board in Beijing. By 1978, this spot was known as the Democracy Wall.

The Democracy Wall For a time, the Democracy Wall movement was left alone by the Chinese government. Essays, stories, speeches, and artwork increased.

The Democracy Wall Some of the things put on the democracy wall were critical of the government. The communists in power began to pay more attention to this movement.

The Democracy Wall

The Democracy Wall By late 1979, the Democracy Wall had been shut down. The people no longer had any place to meet and discuss new ideas.

Causes Despite success of reforms 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

Tiananmen Square The trigger for the protest was the death of Hu Yaobang, who was General Secretary of the Communist Party and who was viewed as a reformer. Hu Yaobang

Tiananmen Square Chinese citizens- mostly university students began to gather in the square to commemorate Hu Yaobang. At Hu’s funeral, the protestors demanded to meet with the government- but this quest was denied.

Tiananmen Square Students called for a strike at universitiesby April 29, approximately 50, 000 people-mostly students but also professorswere now in Tiananmen Square.

China After Mao The protestors eventually began to speak of more specific demands: - a free media - a recognition of student groups besides those sponsored by the Communist Party

Tiananmen Square The government refused to negotiate, and by early May 1989 approximately 100, 000 protesters were in the square.

Tiananmen Square With no negotiations, the students on May 13 decided to launch a hunger strike to protest. Protests spread to other cities and universities outside Beijing.

Tiananmen Square Chinese government grew more concerned, because foreign media were in presence in large numbers in China because of the visit of the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

On the 31 May, 1989 students built the ‘Goddess of Democracy’ it faced the Forbidden Palace, this was a challenge to the Communist government 4 th of June, the gov ordered the army to attack the demonstrators Armed vehicles opened fire on the demonstrators Approximately 2000 people were killed and 10, 000 injured The gov. said that only 200 were killed and 3, 000 injured

Tiananmen Square As the tanks entered the city, protestors tried to build barricades to stop them. Most famous, however, was the “tank man” who stood in front of a line of tanks to stop them.

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

The government imposed martial law, anyone considered to be a political enemy was removed from their job 350, 000 people were disciplined, 2, 500 were arrested, 24 were executed Public trials were held to prevent further demonstrations

The government claimed that the demonstrators were trying to overthrow the Communist government Some people disappeared after the event Others were tortured to get confessions All students in 1 st year at Beijing University were sent to a military camp