Tiananmen Square Massacre May 1989

Tiananmen Square Massacre. For seven weeks in 1989, Chinese students and citizens took over Tiananmen Square in Beijing, calling for reforms and greater freedom. It seemed for a while that revolution was coming to China. But by the time it was over there had been a massive crackdown by the government and thousands of demonstrators had been killed. The government was once again firmly in control.

It began on April 15, Hu Yaobing, a Chinese leader who had been fairly tolerant of student demonstrations in 1986, died. Students in Beijing mourned his passing by meeting in Tiananmen Square and voicing their grievances.

On April 26, The Communist Party newspaper People's Daily accused “an extremely small number of people with ulterior purposes” of inciting the students to unrest in order to overthrow the Communist government. There were warnings to students that force might be used.

The next day students from more than 40 universities demonstrated in Tiananmen Square to protest the editorial. They were joined by thousands of citizens. The square was occupied by pro-democracy demonstrators until June 4. On May 13, 3,000 students began a hunger strike. On May 17 more than a million citizens and students were demonstrating in Beijing. On May 20 martial law was declared. The army came to Beijing and was stopped by citizens who blocked their path with barcaroles. Initial attempts of the People's Liberation Army to remove the demonstrators failed.

On May 30, demonstrators erected the Goddess of Democracy in the square, made in 4 days out of plaster. It was inspired in part by the Statue of Liberty. On June 1 the government cut off access to foreign journalists. On June 2, 6 convoys of tanks and soldiers moved toward central Beijing. All were stopped by citizens, often physically blocking the path of the tanks.

On June 3, soldiers were ordered to clear Tiananmen Square at all costs. Tanks and armored personnel carriers moved toward the square. Demonstrators were attacked with tear gas, rubber bullets and electric truncheons. Soldiers opened fire on those attempting to block their progress. By midnight the tanks had reached the square.

On June 4, troops opened fire on the crowd. 2,600 were estimated dead and 10,000 injured. 500 tanks and 300,000 soldiers occupied Beijing. On June 11, there were massive arrests. The near-revolution was over.