China under Deng Xiaoping : Political changes, and their limits, culminating in Tiananmen Square

1. China under Deng Xiaoping : Political changes, and their limits, culminating in Tiananmen Square Presented by: Mengxin Zhu & Arielle Green 竺梦芯和绿阿莉尔呈现

2. China Under Deng Xiaoping • China’s democracy movement was subdued in 1978-79 when the economic reforms were being launched. • As Deng consolidated his control of China, the call for political reform came to the fore again in the mid-1980s. • pro-reform leaders: Zhao Ziyang was appointed premier, and Hu Yaobang CCP general secretary. • Deng himself, satisfied with being the “power behind the throne,” never held a top position.

3. Political Change • Deng had full control of the Party and the government by 1982 • Deng began to separate the government from the Party • Goal = to modernise China so it could compete with the West in consumer goods & industrial production

4. Political Changes (cont’d) • The economic changes led to conflicts within the Party • There were three main power bases which were: • Deng (pragmatists) • Hua and Ye (military leader and the balancer) • The leftist members worried that China's socialist goals would be lost by the new economic changes and the trade with the West • Deng made it clear that China would remain socialist

5. Political Changes (cont’d) • Deng was loyal to the Communist party and a firm believer in the "dictatorship of the proletariat." • Democracy wall • people express opinion on the way China has progressed over past decade. • freedom • human rights • self-determination

6. Pro-Democracy Groups • Wei Jingsheng (Fifth Modernization) -democracy and -criticized Deng -15 years imprisonment for treason -Wall closed down • Protests were stopped after that, and reforming communists were pushed underground once again.

7. China Opening Up • Deng at the time was looking to increase his power within the politburo and the Central Committee • His focus was on economic growth and the Four Modernizations • Japan was China's main investor and the US was starting to increase its investment in China as well • China was starting to open up to the outside world

8. Contradictions • In the 1980's there were disagreements between the Party and the government due to contradictions • Political liberalisation was supported however there was no place for bourgeois values • The government allowed more freedom within the media

9. Student Demonstrations • In 1986 there were demonstrations that encouraged students to get involved in local government • The demonstrators were also looking for improved living conditions and more freedom • The students demonstrations were not joined by workers • Deng was starting to worry about another power struggle within the Party

10. Tiananmen Square 1989 • Hu Yaobang died in April 1989 >> social change • Deng had counseled restraint with Zhao Ziyang. • Students intensified things. • Deng Ordered the army to “Take All Necessary Measures” to seize the square.

11. Tiananmen Square 1989 (cont’d) • The demonstrators were quickly suppressed. -no clear objective -lack of leadership Aftermath • 800-1000 people were killed • Mass arrests • Many workers were executed. • The students who were connected, received lighter sentences • 1,602 individuals were imprisoned

12. Aftermath • Zhao was removed and replace by Jiang Zemin, a loyal Deng supporter • Deng resigned in 1989 - still remained the guiding figure till 1997. • Today’s China -Economic liberalization -No Political liberalization

13. Video Student Protests: Tiananmen Square https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdGDoCAVSs4