Tiananmen Square

Definition

Tiananmen Square is a public plaza in Beijing, China, that became the site of a pro-democracy protest in 1989 where demonstrators, largely students, called for political reform. The movement was brutally suppressed by the Chinese government on June 4th, leading to a significant number of deaths and injuries.

Related terms

Civil disobedience: The refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest.

Political repression: Actions by authorities that restrict or eliminate political freedom in order to maintain control.

Human rights: Rights believed to belong justifiably to every person, including freedom of speech and expression, which were central issues in the Tiananmen Square protests