Course of the May Fourth Movement (May Fourth Demonstration)

• Students' protests in Beijing:

  • On 4 May, more than 3000 students from 13 colleges in Beijing gathered at Tiananmen Square.
  • They chanted slogans, such as 'Externally, struggle for national sovereignty. Internally, punish national traitors' and demanded that the government should refuse to sign the peace treaty and punish the officials responsible for the diplomatic dealings with Japan, namely Zhang Zongxiang, Lu Zongyu, Cao Rulin, etc.
• Students' protests in Beijing:

  • The protestors marched to the residence of Cao.
  • Even though Cao escaped, Zhang, who was on the scene, was beaten up.
  • Cao's residence was set on fire.
• Students' protests in Beijing:

  • The Beiyang government suppressed the demonstration and arrested students, leading to a general boycott of classes by the college students in Beijing, followed by students all over the country taking to the streets, organizing demonstrations, holding propaganda meetings, and carrying out boycotts against Japanese goods.
• Nationwide protests:

  • On 3 June and 4 June, the Beiyang government arrested over 1000 students in Beijing alone.
  • The momentum of the movement spread to all major cities.
  • Workers went on strike.
  • Businessmen also closed their shops in support of the students and workers.
• Nationwide protests:

  • The students' movement subsequently developed into a nationwide revolutionary movement.
  • In the face of public outrage, the Beiyang government ordered the dismissal of the three officials and the immediate release of the arrested students.
  • Eventually, China refused to sign the peace treaty with Germany.