May Fourth Movement

May Fourth Movement
Approximately 3,000 students from 13 Beijing universities gathered in Tiananmen Square
Date	May 4, 1919
Location	Republic of China
Resulted in	Government of Qian Nengxun weakened Pro-Japanese officials removed Treaty of Versailles goes unsigned by China New Culture Movement splits Spread of communism
Parties to the civil conflict
Protesters Template:ROC-1912

May Fourth Movement
Traditional Chinese	五四運動
Simplified Chinese	五四运动
Literal meaning	5-4 Movement
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wǔsì yùndòng Bopomofo [ㄨˇ ㄙˋ ㄩㄣˋ ㄉㄨㄥˋ] Error: {{Transliteration}}: transliteration text not Latin script (pos 1: ㄨ) (help) Gwoyeu Romatzyh Wuusyh yunndonq Wade–Giles Wu3-ssu4 yün4-tung4 Tongyong Pinyin Wǔ-sìh yùn-dòng IPA [ù.sɨ̂ ŷn.tʊ̂ŋ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Ńgh-sei wahn-duhng IPA [ŋ.sēi wɐ̀n.tòŋ] Jyutping Ng5 sei3 wan6 dung6 Southern Min Tâi-lô Ngó-sì ūn-tūng

The May Fourth Movement started in Beijing on May 4, 1919, as students protested the Treaty of Versailles, which gave Japan control over some Chinese territories. The protests spread across China, boosting nationalism and political action, moving away from intellectual elites. This movement was part of the larger New Culture Movement (1915-1921), aiming to challenge Confucian traditions. Many future political leaders, including those in the Chinese Communist Party, emerged during this time. The movement was urban-focused but had a populist tone despite China's rural majority.

In 1911, the Qing dynasty collapsed, ending thousands of years of imperial rule. After President Yuan Shikai died in 1916, China was controlled by warlords, and the government in Beijing struggled with foreign influence. The public was angry about Japan’s growing power, especially after the 1919 Treaty of Versailles gave Japan territories in China. This sparked protests, and many intellectuals began pushing for changes to traditional Confucian values, advocating for Western ideas like science and democracy. These ideas influenced China’s culture and politics for many years.

On May 4, 1919, over 4,000 students protested in Beijing against Japan's control over Chinese territories. They called for changes in the government and boycotted Japanese goods. The movement spread to other cities, including Shanghai, and gained support from workers and merchants. Despite harsh government actions, the protests led to China's refusal to sign the Treaty of Versailles, marking a symbolic victory. The May Fourth Movement united people across China, shifting the focus from student protests to a broader national movement for change.

The May Fourth Movement was a turning point in China's history, challenging traditional values and encouraging new ideas like democracy and science. It led to the growth of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with leaders like Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao promoting Marxism. Although the Kuomintang (KMT) also played a role, their influence was smaller. The movement sparked significant political and cultural changes, and its legacy is still debated by both CCP supporters and critics.