The June Fourth Incident and its Aftermath

The June Fourth Incident refers to the Chinese government’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, mainly students, in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Demonstrators had gathered calling for political reform, freedom, and an end to corruption. The authorities responded with military force, using troops and tanks to disperse the crowds, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. The incident led to widespread condemnation internationally and a tightened grip on dissent within China. Its repercussions continue to influence Chinese politics and society, with the government maintaining strict control over discussion and remembrance of the events.