The Democracy Wall Movement

What was the Democracy Wall Movement?

The Democracy Wall Movement, or the Democracy Movement, was a campaign for political reforms in order to continue the modernisation of China.

Who took part in the Democracy Wall Movement?

The movement was spearheaded by students and intellectuals.

When did the Democracy Wall Movement begin?

The movement began in 1979, following the arrest of an electrician named Wei Jingsheng's in 1978.

What were the key events of the Democracy Wall Movement?

In 1985, mass student protests began in Beijing which led to 2 further key demonstrations:

• ❖ Student demonstrations spread across the whole of China and by 1986, many universities saw similar protests.
• ❖ While these protests were crushed, the Democracy Movement would rise again in 1989 with protests at Tiananmen Square.

Why did the Democracy Wall Movement happen?

These protests broke out for 6 main reasons:

• ❖ Following Wei Jingsheng's arrest in 1978, protests emerged. Wei had posted an essay criticising Deng's approach towards democracy on a wall near Tiananmen Square.
• ❖ Initially, protests were over the arrest of Wei Jinsheng but also because of poor living conditions and high rents.
• ❖ Students and intellectuals who had experienced Europe and America had seen an alternate type of government. They wanted democracy so the party could represent the people and address their problems.
• ❖ There were also criticisms of the government. Economic issues such as unemployment were blamed on the CCP as preferential treatment was being given to family and friends of members of the party.
• ❖ This also led to claims that the CCP was suffering from corruption. The lack of free speech compounded this and many now wanted a voice. Students began to call for democracy for China.
• ❖ In response to calls for democracy, Deng tightened control even further by the increasing use of censorship and arrests. This addressed the 1986 protests, but the repression only led to further protests in 1989.