Did the Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown happen in 1989?
Yes, the Tiananmen Square protests and the subsequent military crackdown occurred in 1989.[1]
Student-led (and later broader) pro-democracy demonstrations began in April 1989 in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, sparked by the death of reformist official Hu Yaobang, and grew to involve hundreds of thousands to over a million people calling for political reform, free speech, an end to corruption, and related demands. Similar protests occurred in other Chinese cities.[2]
After weeks of occupation of the square, martial law was declared in mid-to-late May. On the night of June 3–4, 1989, the Chinese government sent in troops and tanks to clear the area by force. This resulted in what is widely known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre or June Fourth Incident, with hundreds to thousands killed (exact figures remain disputed; official Chinese figures are much lower than many independent estimates) and many more injured or arrested. The square was cleared by the morning of June 4.[3]
This is extensively documented by historical sources, contemporary news reporting, and organizations including Britannica, BBC, AP, HISTORY.com, Amnesty International, and others. The Chinese government heavily censors discussion of the events domestically.
Citations (3)
- https://www.history.com/articles/tiananmen-square
Backs: “Yes, the Tiananmen Square protests and the subsequent military crackdown occurred in 1989.”
evidence, article, points to yes. Claim: The Tiananmen Square protests and the subsequent military crackdown occurred in 1989.
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Tiananmen-Square-incident
Backs: “Student-led (and later broader) pro-democracy demonstrations began in April 1989 in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, sparked by the death of reformist official Hu Yaobang, and grew to involve hundreds of thousands to over a million people calling for political reform, free speech, an end to corruption, and related demands.…”
evidence, reference entry, points to yes. Claim: Student-led pro-democracy demonstrations began in April 1989 after Hu Yaobang's death, grew to hundreds of thousands or more, and spread to other cities.
- https://apnews.com/article/d7944725cf6a4abe88ba3f706c3cbbaa
Backs: “This resulted in what is widely known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre or June Fourth Incident, with hundreds to thousands killed (exact figures remain disputed; official Chinese figures are much lower than many independent estimates) and many more injured or arrested. The square was cleared by the morning of June 4.”
evidence, article, points to yes. Claim: Troops and tanks cleared the square by force on June 3-4, 1989, killing hundreds to thousands; exact figures are disputed.