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China 1989

China 1989. Ben Parsons. Why did the Chinese pro-democracy movement fail?. Origins of and background to the movement Outline of events Strengths of the State Structural weaknesses of the movement Strategic weaknesses Poor student leadership Conclusion.

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China 1989

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  1. China 1989 Ben Parsons

  2. Why did the Chinese pro-democracy movement fail? • Origins of and background to the movement • Outline of events • Strengths of the State • Structural weaknesses of the movement • Strategic weaknesses • Poor student leadership • Conclusion

  3. Origins of and background to the movement

  4. Origins of and background to the movement • Cultural Revolution • Pressures on society • Changing status of students • Heightened resistance after the death of Mao Zedong (1976) • WeiJingsheng • Democracy Wall • Economic liberalisation • Calls for political reform

  5. Outline of events • Death of reformer HuYaobang • On April 17th 1989, students assembled at TiananmenSquare in mourning • Posters called for democracy and an end to corruption • Growing numbers, continued after the mourning period • 26th April editorial and backlash • Gorbachev’s visit and the hunger strike, 15th May.

  6. Outline of events • Mass demonstrations include workers and residents • Government fluctuates • Martial Law 20th May • Army initially stopped • Assault at Dawn, June 4th.

  7. Strengths of the State

  8. Strengths of the State • Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) • Some weaknesses • Initial failure • But always followed orders • The Government • Some divisions • Li Peng and ZahaoZidang • Errors of judgement • 26th April Editorial • Indecision • But divisions always quickly closed

  9. Strengths of the State • Censorship and the press • Direct correlation • Strangled communication and publicity Why did the use of force not cause a backlash against the state?

  10. 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?

  11. Strategic weaknesses • Lack of understanding of nonviolent strategies • Reactionary • Upward spiral of actions • Poor tactics • Symbolic but not substantive

  12. Strategic weaknesses

  13. 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

  14. 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?

  15. Questions?

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