Ben Parsons China 1989. Why did the Chinese pro-democracy movement fail? 1.Origins of and background...
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Ben Parsons China 1989. Why did the Chinese pro-democracy movement fail? 1.Origins of and background to the movement 2.Outline of events 3.Strengths of
Why did the Chinese pro-democracy movement fail? 1.Origins of
and background to the movement 2.Outline of events 3.Strengths of
the State 4.Structural weaknesses of the movement 5.Strategic
weaknesses 6.Poor student leadership 7.Conclusion
Slide 3
1.Origins of and background to the movement
Slide 4
Cultural Revolution Pressures on society Changing status of
students Heightened resistance after the death of Mao Zedong (1976)
Wei Jingsheng Democracy Wall Economic liberalisation Calls for
political reform
Slide 5
2.Outline of events Death of reformer Hu Yaobang On April 17 th
1989, students assembled at Tiananmen Square in mourning Posters
called for democracy and an end to corruption Growing numbers,
continued after the mourning period 26 th April editorial and
backlash Gorbachevs visit and the hunger strike, 15 th May.
Slide 6
2.Outline of events Mass demonstrations include workers and
residents Government fluctuates Martial Law 20 th May Army
initially stopped Assault at Dawn, June 4 th.
Slide 7
3.Strengths of the State
Slide 8
Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Some weaknesses Initial failure
But always followed orders The Government Some divisions Li Peng
and Zahao Zidang Errors of judgement 26 th April Editorial
Indecision But divisions always quickly closed
Slide 9
Censorship and the press Direct correlation Strangled
communication and publicity Why did the use of force not cause a
backlash against the state? 3.Strengths of the State
Slide 10
4.Structural weaknesses of the movement No pre-history No grass
roots support No mature structure No commitment to understanding
nonviolent tactics Internal squabbles and parallel structures Did
this cause a lack of strategic thinking?
Slide 11
5.Strategic weaknesses Lack of understanding of nonviolent
strategies Reactionary Upward spiral of actions Poor tactics
Symbolic but not substantive
Slide 12
5.Strategic weaknesses
Slide 13
6.Poor student leadership No respected electoral process for
leadership Internal divisions Poor control No single charismatic
leader Someone around who to rally Someone to talk to the state
Someone to provide intellectual leadership
Slide 14
7.Conclusion Failure due to Strength of the state No
grass-roots support Poor organisation Lack of strategy Poor
leadership Could noncooperation, boycotts and a charismatic leader
have changed the outcome?