5.3

• What was Deng Xiaoping's approach to political change despite adopting capitalist principles in the economy?

  He was a hard line communist.
• What were the ‘four cardinal principles’ that influenced Deng Xiaoping?

  The CCP would keep a leading role, rejection of multi-party system, no free elections, and no freedom of speech.
• What was the Democracy Wall Movement?

  • A movement in the late 1970s demanding a more democratic political system
  • Led by students and young people
  • Featured wall posters on a 200 ft long brick wall near Tiananmen Square
• Why did students initially support Deng Xiaoping and the Democracy Wall?

  They believed he would introduce democracy when he became leader.
• What caused the greatest agitation among the students during the Democracy Wall Movement?

  Those who suffered during the Cultural Revolution felt they had not benefited from Deng's new policies.
• Who was Wei Jingsheng and what did he do in 1979?

  He was a former Red Guard who published an article attacking Deng Xiaoping.
• What was the outcome of Wei Jingsheng's criticisms of the government?

  He was arrested and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
• What did the Democracy Movement represent?

  • It represented intellectuals calling for political reforms
  • It was not an organized party
  • It aimed for reforms to match Deng's economic changes
• How did the student protests in 1986 begin and spread across China?

  They began in Beijing due to anger over poor living conditions and spread to universities nationwide.
• What were some of the main grievances of the students during the 1986 protests?

  Poor living conditions, high rents, poor job prospects, corruption in the CCP, and restrictions on studies.
• Who showed sympathy for the students during the protests and what happened to him?

  Hu Yaobang showed sympathy and was subsequently sacked.
• What was Deng Xiaoping's response to the student protests in 1986?

  He ordered the arrest of student leaders and tightened censorship.
• What rationale did Deng provide for not needing democracy in China?

  He claimed that the people had an enlightened government to rule for them.
• What was the consequence of Deng's tough approach to the 1986 protests?

  It ended the protests but created resentment, leading to further protests in 1989.