Causes of the May Fourth Movement

• Inspiration from the Western ideas:

  • Since the late Qing Dynasty, new-style education had been implemented and many students studied abroad.
  • Western ideas had been constantly introduced to China.
  • The new generation of Chinese intellectuals embraced Western values, such as democracy, liberty and equality.
• Inspiration from the Western ideas:

  • They founded modern magazines to enlighten the public.
  • For example, in 1915, Chen Duxiu founded the Youth Magazine (renamed the New Youth in 1916) to advocate democracy and science.
  • These magazines also became the tools for people to discuss and criticize politics.
  • For example, the New Youth attacked Yuan Shikai's abortive attempt to become emperor and opposed warlordism.
• Inspiration from the Western ideas:

  • People gradually became anxious about the future of the country.
  • There was greater public concern for political affairs, which gradually became the force that started the May Fourth Movement.
• Japanese aggression against China:

  • In 1915, Japan submitted the Twenty-One Demands to Yuan Shikai.
  • Japan demanded China to recognize her special rights of inheriting the German possessions in Shandong.
  • She even tried to control the political, economic and military affairs in China.
• Japanese aggression against China:

  • Group 5 of the Twenty-One Demand stated: The Chinese government was required to hire Japanese people as political, financial and military advisors. China's police was to be placed under the control of Japan. The Chinese armed forces were required to purchase a certain amount of Japanese weapons, or to establish arsenals and purchase Japanese raw materials. Japan would own the rights of constructing several railway lines in the Changjiang River Basin.
• Japanese aggression against China:

  • In the end, Yuan accepted most of the articles.
  • The news was spread across the country and provoked national resentment.
  • The people initiated anti-Japanese protests.
  • Patriotism grew and Chinese nationalism was awakened.
  • This contributed to the outbreak of the May Fourth Movement.
• Resentment against the Beiyang government:

  • Since the founding of the Republic of China, the republican system had been continuously ravaged by Yuan Shikai and various groups of warlords.
  • Yuan even attempted to restore the monarchy.
• Resentment against the Beiyang government:

  • After his death, the warlords fought against one another.
  • The public were resentful of the warlords for shattering the peace of China.
• Resentment against the Beiyang government:

  • In 1918, the Beiyang government headed by Duan Qirui 'willingly agreed' with Japan's claims to Germany's rights in Shandong, causing nationwide anger.
  • Resentment against the Beiyang government built up.
  • The public decided to fight against the government, contributing to the May Fourth Movement.
• Impact of the international situation:

  • The defeat of Germany in WWI showed how democratic countries such as Britain, France and the US could triumph over autocratic countries.
  • Therefore, some Chinese intellectuals advocated democracy as the way to save China.
  • They had a stronger quest for democracy, contributing to the May Fourth Movement.
• Trigger point of the May Fourth Movement (May Fourth Demonstration):

  -> Diplomatic failure at the Paris Peace Conference

  • At the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, the Chinese government requested the cancellation of the Twenty-One Demands (which secured Japan's sphere of interest in China) and the restoration to China of the interests in Shandong that Japan had taken from Germany during WWI.
• Diplomatic failure at the Paris Peace Conference:

  • Japan disclosed the Exchange of Notes that the Beiyang government had signed with her in 1918 with 'gladly agreed' written on it.
  • Besides, the foreign powers signed secret treaties with Japan during WWI, recognizing Japan's rights in China.
• Diplomatic failure at the Paris Peace Conference:

  • At the end, China's requests were rejected at the peace conference.
  • The news of China's diplomatic humiliation at the Paris Peace Conference came back to China.
  • It triggered off resentment across the country.
  • Therefore, the students from Peking University decided to hold large-scale protests.