tiananmen massacre

  • Start of the protests

    • Tens of thousands of students come together on the tiananmen square to mourn the death of Hu Yoabang.
  • Period: to

    The protests are spreading around the country

    • Demonstrations escelate in Bejing
    • Workers and officals join in
    • Government in disagreement about it´s response
  • Hu Yaobang´s memorial service

    Hu Yaobang´s memorial service

    • Over 100.000 people assemble
    • Students start a petition of demands for Li Peng
    • The actvists organize in illegal and unoffical student unions
  • April 26th Editorial

    • Editorial: "The Necessity for a Clear Stand Against Turmoil,” published
    • The article described the students movement as a "destabilzing anti- party revolt" that must be fought
  • Start of hunger strike

    • In regard to Soviet Party Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev visit, students start a hunger strike
    • Many important intelectuals pledge their help
  • Mikhail Gorbachev visits China

    Mikhail Gorbachev visits China

    • First Sino-Soviet summit since 1959
    • Government can´t welcome Gorbachev on the tiananmen square because of the protests
  • Declaration of martial law

    Declaration of martial law

    • Student leader calls off the hunger strike
    • Start a mass sit-in on tiananmen square
    • Around 1.2 million people are participating
    • Li Peng appears on state TV to declare martial law
  • PLA arrives in Bejing

    PLA arrives in Bejing

    • PLA troops are trying to occupy Bejing
    • Civilian protestors block their convos on the streets -Troops are stuck and can´t reach tiananmen square
  • Troops are able to leave Bejing

    • PLA is finally able to leave
    • humiliation for the government
  • Thousands of troops are approaching Bejing

    Thousands of troops are approaching Bejing

    • People are trying to block the streets again
    • Soldiers start firing on unarmed civillians
    • Untold number of people are killed
  • Troops arrive at tiananmen square

    • Troops are ordered to clear the square
    • Soldiers open fire on activists again and again during the day
    • Rescue workers who are trying to help the wounded are shot too
  • Tank man

    Tank man

    • Army is in complete control of Bejing
    • Unarmed young man suddenly steps in front of the tanks
    • Untill today he´s a symbol for the student movement and the brave protesters