the creation of a new State, the Peoples Republic of China.
In honor of those students, the early revolutionaries of China, many of whom went on to service in the Communist Party during the Anti-Japanese War and beyond, and in remembrance of the cruel student massacre of 12 December 1936, the Lane connecting the Monument with Jingshan at ShenwuMen at the Palace Museum has been renamed Avenue of the May The 4Th Movement.
THE Biographic Documentary on Chairman Mao Tse Tung ! All about this complicated Man and historic Leader. Buy it !
- Click Here
Review the 20Th Century and China's lenghty revolutionary Years ! The Complete Box Set with rare footage.
- Click Here
Short Introduction -
The May the 4Th of 1919 AD, as one of the major events in Chinese History, is still remembered all over China and its memory is kept alive by the tradition of May the 4Th Youth Day.
On May the 4Th 1919, Beijing students, already restive, took to the streets of Beijing in response to the Versailles Treaty welded in Europe on the other side of the Eurasian Continent on that same day.
In the Versailles Treaty the First World War was ended and Germany Humiliated. However, instead of returning German Colonies in China (Shandong) to Chinese Sovreignty, the Treaty handed the German Colonies in Shandong over to Japan, a National Humiliation for an already aroused China.
Students from all Universities and Middle Schools in Beijing took to the Streets to send a united message of outrage.
View of the Monument of the May the 4Th at the intersection of WuSi Dajie' and BeiHeyan Dajie'and DongHuangChenggen Bei Jie' crossing from left to right.
Monument of the May the 4Th in the DongCheng District of Beijing.
On the Day of the Protests in 1919 AD, students followed the direction of traffic in this Photo to gather at the entrance of Jingshan Park.
Bicyclist Pass the Monument of the May the 4Th in the DongCheng District of Beijing, while a Rickshaw Man awaits a Tourist Ride. To the West (left) lies the Palace Museum, a popular rickshaw-ride destination.
Local Traffic at the Monument of the May the 4Th in the DongCheng District of Beijing.
The Protest of the Beijing students gathered at TianAnMen Square, then marched in a large and swelling column through the Capital while carrying signs and shouting anti-japanese slogans. Along their route the students distributed
pamflets with their grievances and behaved civilized, however upon reaching the home of a pro-Japanese BeiYang Government Minister the Protests suddenly turned violent. In the Process the Minister in case escaped but a Japanese Minister was beaten by the crowds. It was an International Riot and the Chinese People were finally standing up. The Beijing Student Protests of that Day marked the beginning of an upsurge of Chinese Nationalism, that, through
years of struggle, would eventually lead the Chinese to Emancipation in
from the Palace Museum). From here easily reach the Corner of the Moat with its grandiose Watchtower. At this point directions go South, which is down along the Palace Moat. Back to the West to Shenwu Men and up and East. From the Corner Tower go slightly up and North and keep heading West. This puts you on the Avenue of the May the 4Th also known as Wu Si Dajie'. Keep going for some 100s of meters and you are there. The Monument is located on the North Side of the Road, one intersection due West of the - China National Art Gallery, which stands at Wu Si Dajie', the Avenue of the May the 4Th.
A last thing to know beforehand is that the Monument is not very big or tall, so can only be spotted from near its location.
The May the 4Th and its Political Movement
In the near Century leading up to the May the 19Th, too many events had already occurred, setting the stage for the emancipatory Chinese protest of that Day, the May the 4Th of 1919 AD. In Fact, for Centuries already the West ->
Eventhough in 1917 AD China had entered World War I on the Allied Side on the explicit condition that all German Spheres of influence in China were to be returned to Chinese Sovreignty afterwards, the Allies decided Japan, which had taken the Shandong Colonies from Germany during World War 1, had more rights to German Colonies in Shandong. It was the so-manieth slap in the face for the Chinese, however, this time it occured in a politically newly awakened state.
On That Day - May the 4Th 1919 AD in Beijing -
In Beijing Students had been in support of the new Republic and debating social and political issues vigorously for years. Under a local Warlord Government that only appeased Foreigners so as to extend its own powers, the students became increasingly restless. Therefor, they had been following the Versailles negotiations closely. They were to be disappointed
The Great Leap (Forward) - Communism in the Peoples Century Buy the DVD Film !
- Click Here
influences in China, among which the missionary teachings, and the subsequent wars with European Powers had destablized the
The Story of Deng XiaoPing, legendary Leader of Communist China and survivor of the Long March.
Buy it at Movie Universe - Click Here
View of the Green between DongHuaChengGen and BeiHeyan Dajie', with the Monument of the May the 4Th. Part of Central Beijing the Avenue of the May the 4Th and other streets are usually crowded.
Full View of the May the 4Th Monument among flowerbeds on the green nole between DongHuaChengGen and BeiHeyan Dajie'. This narrow parklike space extends well to the North & South giving some respite from the increased car traffic of late years.
Closer View of the Face of the May the 4Th Monument resembling a Page from a Book. A bronze eternal flame symbolizes the importance of that day in history.
The Engraved Text on the Back of the May the 4Th Movement Monument is an Honorary Poem. Literally it declares "she's spring thunder, arouse the great patriotism of her people" , "she's a seed, gestated patriotism, progress, democracy, science" and some more follows ..
A Restored Jingshan Pailou standing between Palace Moat and Driveway at Jingshan Dajie'. The original Pailou of 1936 AD stood reaching across Jingshan Boulevard, but was removed at sometime after during the later 20Th Century.
- Mouse over Image -
had been encroaching on Chinese Sovreignty, trying to gain a foothold on the Chinese Mainland and grow influence there. The 19Th Century would bring a turning point in Relations.
With the Opium War of 1839 AD to 1842 AD and subequently from 1856 AD to 1860 AD (the Arrow War), European intentions, untill then frustrated by the Chinese side, were brought out in the open clearly. Plainly said, the Europeans took what they wanted by force, war was declared, the Chinese State was broken open for trade, and then slowly subjugated.
For the subjugation of the Chinese Empire, Unequal Treaties were imposed.The First in the 1842 AD Treaty in aftermath of the First Opium War of 1842 AD but reapeated throughout the 19Th Century. In these unequal treaties Chinese Sovreignty had been systematically undermined. At first Chinese Coastal Harbors were opened to trade and their operations were put under international control. Next foreign citizens were no longer subject to Chinese Law when in China, the so called "Extraterritoriality".
In the Second Opium War, the Arrow War, more unequal treaties wer extracted under which more Chinese Coastal Cities were opened for trade and turned into international settlements, the so called Treaty Ports. Cities on major rivers were now included, flooding the Chinese Mainland with Foreigners, among which many missionaries. And apart from all this, the Foreign Trade included a large portion of Opium deliveries turning the Chinese into addicted subjects and from its taxes the Chinese State was forced to pay indemnities for the Past Wars. For the Chinese the misery was never ending.
It would go to far here to describe all the details of this interesting period of Chinese History, however this much can be said: By the time of the turn into the 20Th Century, the growing foreign -->
Ruling Structure, enraged the Chinese People causing already 3 major uprisings within the Ching Dynasty Empire and had led an estimated 10% of the Chinese Population. Every Chinese Citizen, rich and poor was suffering badly.
The situation was ripe for drastic changes, which were not far off. Revolution was at hand.
Already troubled by its inflexibility and political corruption, the foreign invasions had shaken the Imperial System of the Ching Empire both militarily and politically. The unequal treaties and indemnities had taken away the credibility of the Ching Imperial Rule and the economic fall-out of all the above events had collapsed the economy, rendering the Ching Dynasty and its System incapable of providing for its Citizens. Chaos was the result.
By 1900 AD a third war with the Europeans, and by that time - everyone else who could profit, struck a final deathblow to the Chinese Empire and Ching Dynasty. The Boxer Rebellion and subsequent war were a fact but much more was going on. China was changing politically.
The Boxer Rebellion was a movement of Chinese Emancipation. As such, it was one of the fore-runners of the May the 4Th, 1919 Protests and Movement.
The Boxer Rebellion was eventually surpressed with the consent and help of the infringing Foreigners, who were keen to keep the Ching Court lingering , hoping to extract even more favors, but the political
scene was set for change, regardless. 20Th Century in China would become the Peoples Century.
A first signal of future political upheaval came as a result of the Boxer War, when the Empress-Dowager Hzu-Tsi (Cixi) was forced to abolish the ancient Confucian Examination System. The system had for centuries been the selection method for empowering political officials and a central pillar of the Empire's powerstructure.
The Boxer War had left no credibility for the dying Dynasty and things were further allowed to unravel when Pu Yi, a 4 year old powerless child-emperor was placed on the Throne. Imprissoned by the Court in his own Palace, as had been the case before with predecessor Guanxu, yet again the Emperor was impotent to iniate political change. As a result, the other players of the Game were allowed to Move.
Influenced by foreign political thought, by 1911 AD, the Xinhai Revolution had forced the Ching Emperor to abdicate. China was a new State.
Former Ching General Yuan Shi Kai, ->
now in power with his modern BeiYang Army and the KuoMinTang Party of Dr Sun Yat Sen, had established the 1st Republic of China, however Yuan Shikai had other ambitions. Soon he attempted a reversal of the new political power-situation, suspending the powers of Parliament and crowning himself Emperor (1915 AD).
Predictably, the attempt to re-establish an Imperial System failed miserably, as all supporters abandoned the new Emperor for his unpopular move. However, the damage was done. Abandoning Yuan Shikai and the dead Republic, the provincial power-brokers in China declared themselves independent, starting the Warlord Era in China's 20Th Century. Thus, the earlier actions of Foreigners and Treacherous Chinese alike left China of 1919 AD in political upheaval and turmoil. China was fragmented, rudderless, and new political idea's were many. One Emotion was common among all: the Chinese citizenry had had enough of Foreign meddling and were yearning for a new National Identity and a Souvreign State. Thus, the European decision of that Day,the May the 4Th of 1919 AD, could not have been more unfortunate.
May the 4Th Monument among flowerbeds under a clear blue sky in May of 2006.
May the 4Th Monument along the Avenue of the May the 4Th in Beijing in May of 2006.
May the 4Th Monument along the Avenue of the May the 4Th in Beijing in May of 2006.
Front Side of the May the 4Th Movement Monument depicting the Heroic Leaders of the May the 4Th Protests that turned into a National Movement. Later many students that organized the protests or particpated went on to service in the Revolutionary Forces that later became the Communist Party of China.
Depicted are: Li Dazhao (Writer + China Communist Party Founder), Chen Duxiu (China Communist Party 1st Secretary General) and Li Shicen (Philosopher).
17 Years Later - December the 12Th 1936 AD in Beijing -
Coming Soon !
December 12Th 1936. James Bertram. Anti-Japanese Protest at the May the 4Th Avenue. Gathering at Jingshan Pailou, near Shenwu Men, the Palace Museums' North Gate.
The KuoMinTang National Government.
Secret Police.
Eventually the students were stopped, one group attempting to reach Jingshan from the West, the other group approaching from the East to join at the Jingshan Pailou wooden ceremonial gate.
Students killed and wounded, many arrested by the Nationalist Police.
again. During the Versailles Peace Conference, Duan's ally, Cao Rulin, promised Japan all of Germany's concessions in Shandong. Sparking the first preparations for the May the 4Th Protest and Movement.
The bad news from Versailles, handing Shandong, although expected by many struck a hot nerve. On the morning of the May the 4Th, students from all 13 Universities in Beijing drafted a Five Point Resolution, a petition to the local Beijing BeiYang Government, which was internationally recognized to handle China's Foreign Affairs. The Resolution condemned the handing of Shandong to Japan and called for a Mass Gathering of students in Beijing in the afternoon of that same day to Honor the new "National Humiliation Day".
Hence, Masses of students were on the streets in the afternoon, heading towards the meeting and rallying point at TianAnMen. Among students gathered were at least 3000 from Beijing University.
The Protest of the Beijing students gathered at TianAnMen Square in front of the Tian An Men, after which the column marched through the Central City, swelling in ranks. The Protests were perfectly civilized and did not attract much attention untill it reached its goal, the Beijing Home of a corrupt and pro-japanese BeiYang Government Minister in the DongCheng District. There, the situation turned violent. The Minister, one Tsao Ju-Lin was sought for but narrowly escaped the crowds. The crowd of students then went on to
As can be inferred from the above introduction, the May the 4Th Movement is located in the DongCheng District of Beijing, not to far from the Palace Museums' North Gate, ShenWu Men and Jingshan Park. Mind you, its more than a few hundred meters, though.
In short, just find the North Gate of the Forbidden City, and head to the East (right hand if you are leaving Shenwu Men ->
attack the home, in the process of which a Japanese Minister, Minister Chang, was severly beaten. Part of the House was set afire and many students were arrested as the crowds cheered them for their deeds.
Thus, the Protest, from a Chinese point of view, was a Major Success. According to Press Reports (China Herald) some Beijing Citizens were so moved by the students stand for National Emancipation that they wept while watching the column march by.
Whichever way it may be, the Beijing Protest Empassioned the Chinese Citizens. Finally someone was standing up to the corrupt and inapt warlords, in favor of a bigger notion, the prosperity of the Chinese Nation as a whole. It was only the beginning of renewed political turmoils in China. The Nationalist Protests in Beijing quickly spread to local workers who went on strike in support. Next, the student demonstration spread to Shanghai, then to all major Chinese Cities.
Finally, after more than a month of demonstrations, strikes, and boycotts of Japanese goods, throughout China, the government had to appease its citizenry. The BeiYang Government refused to sign the peace treaty with Germany.
The spirit of the May 4Th Movement was progressive if not radical. And it was Nationalist. The movement spurred the successful reorganization of the Nationalist Party and became a National Movement asking for democratic reforms, along the lines of Nationalism, Democracy and Socialism. In this, the May the 4Th Movement gave birth to the more radical Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai in 1921 AD. The May the 4Th Movement lasted untill the year 1923, when fresh political events saw it merge with the ideas of the Chinese Communist Party and the left wing of the KuoMinTang.
Map of DongCheng District with Location of the May 4Th Monument. Click Map to go to Full Version.
DongCheng District Map
More on the May the 4Th 1919 AD Movement, the Red Building at Beijing University -
The May the 4Th 1919 Memorial Hall is also located at Wusi Dajie', to be precise at Number 29, West of and adjacent to the Monument of the May the 4Th.
The Memorial Hall is located inside The Red Building or Honglou, formerly a part of the Peking University. Constructed between 1916 AD and 1918 AD in the Shatan Area of the City for Peking University Students the Red Building Became Famous during the May the 4Th Movement Years at the Start of the new Cultural Movement. It was the home of the Literature Academy of Peking University.
In 1917 Cai Yuanpei, a man known for his known for his critical evaluation of the Chinese culture became the president of Peking University. YuanPei subsequently encouraged a wide range of views in the college and strongly defended academic
On the First Floor of the Red Building one can find more. Inside are the (Former) Office of Writer Li Dazhao, who at the time of the May the 4Th Protests and Movement was the Head (Secretary) of the Beijing University Library. His Office remains completely preserved, as was during his Times in Office. Naturally, the reading room in which Chairman Mao once worked and other rooms also remain, preserved as musea and cultural relics. On display inside the room are 20 kinds of Journals and Magazines from the 1919 Era, on loan from the National Museum (at TiananMen Square). Last but not least one can view two video's in the video room. One video film highlights the former residences of Celebrities of the New Cultural Movement in Beijing, among who Mao and Li Dazhao. A second video entitled "The May the 4Th Movement" gives an easily understandable and in-depth historic review of the History of the May 4Th Movement.
A rickshaw with passenger driving on the pedestrian side-walk along the North Wall & Moat of the Palace Museum. The North Moat & Walls are a prefered spot for rickshaw drivers to attempt to find customers (Photo May 2005 AD).
freedoms. Under Cai YuanPei Peking University became a bullwark of Leftist thought and a hot-bed of Political activity. Among those hired as teachers at the Institute were Chen Duxiu, a leader in the New Cultural Movement, who was to head the Liberal Arts Department of the school, as well as Li Dazhao, Hu Shi and Lu Xun (Zhou Shuren), the latter a strong socialist thinker and later the most important Chinese Writer of the 20Th Century (and much admired by Mao Zedong). All three of these were representatives of the leftist new Cultural Movement. The many representatives of the movement at the college form a united “new culture” camp, promoting the emergence of many mass organizations and publications. As a result, Honglou (The Red Building) became known as THE base for the New Cultural Movement. Much Celbrated by the Communist Party of China after 1949 AD,this is where the great patriotic May 4th movement was born Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu and other early Chinese Marxists first fired the flames of the Chinese revolution at the Hong Lou.
Currently a branch of the National Museum the Red Building was re-opened as a Museum in May 2002 AD and houses not only the Memorial Hall to the May the 4Th but also serves as the home bastion of the Chinese "New Cultural Movement". Inside are found plenty of explanatory displays, photos of the past and video's and other instructional materials on the backgrounds of the May 4Th Movement which later turned into the wider New Cultural Movement and gave rise to the Communist Party of China,
Opening Hours of the Memorial Hall of the Beijing University are 8:30 AM to 16:30 PM, except on mondays when the Hall is closed to the Public.
