5.4

• What event triggered the protests in 1989 in China?

  The death of Hu Yaobang from a heart attack
• Why did students admire Hu Yaobang?

  He appeared to support them in 1986 and abandoned Mao suits for Western business suits
• What was Hu Yaobang's stance on Mao Zedong's theories for modern China?

  He believed that none of Mao's theories were desirable for modern China
• Where did students gather to express their sadness after Hu Yaobang's death?

  Tiananmen Square
• What action did three students take that escalated the protests?


  They tried to give a petition to Premier Li Peng asking for greater freedoms
• What was the result of Li Peng refusing to accept the petition from the students?

  It sparked a series of sit-ins and boycotts of university classes
• How many universities' students joined the protests in Tiananmen Square?

  Students from 40 universities joined
• What was the peak number of students gathered in Tiananmen Square?

  Over 100,000 students
• How did transport workers support the student protests?

  They allowed the students to travel free to Beijing
• What significant action did a group of 300 students take by the second week of May?


  They went on a hunger strike
• Why did the students refuse to call off their hunger strike?

  They were achieving worldwide publicity with media coverage
• Who was due to visit Beijing during the protests, and why was he significant?

  Mikhail Gorbachev, because of his reforms in the Soviet Union
• What did the students believe regarding the authorities' response during Gorbachev's visit?

  They believed the authorities would not dare crush the demonstrations during his visit
• What was Deng Xiaoping's response after Gorbachev left Beijing?

  He declared martial law in China
• What happened to the protests after martial law was declared?

  Many non-students joined the protests, demanding democracy and Deng's resignation
• How many PLA soldiers surrounded Tiananmen Square by June 2nd?

  350,000 PLA soldiers
• What did the government announce on June 3rd regarding Tiananmen Square?

  They announced that the Square would be cleared
• What orders were given to the PLA regarding Tiananmen Square?

  They were told to 'reclaim the Square at all costs'
• When did the first shots get fired at the protesters?

  At 10pm on June 3rd
• What was the outcome of the occupation by midday on June 4th?

  The occupation was over, and students were marched away and imprisoned
• What was the estimated number of casualties from the Tiananmen Square protests?

  Certainly in the thousands
• What action did the government impose following the protests?

  They imposed a news blackout
• What alternatives did Deng have to disperse the protesters instead of using military force?

  He could have used riot police, water cannons, and tear gas
• Why did Deng seem to want a violent end to the protests?


  To show the Chinese people the government's determination not to tolerate opposition
• What did the demonstration mark the end of?

  The Democracy Movement
• How did Deng describe the protests?

  As a legitimate attack on 'counter revolutionaries'
• What was the international reaction to the events at Tiananmen Square?

  It was one of universal condemnation and disapproval
• What action did the USA take in response to the Tiananmen Square events?

  They introduced economic sanctions against China
• How has the Chinese government referred to the events of Tiananmen Square since then?

  They have referred to it as 'political turmoil'