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Economic Reforms Sparked Student Activism
- Economic liberalization under Deng Xiaoping sparked discussions on political liberalization in the 1980s China.
- Student activism emerged from this growing excitement about democracy and freedom of speech ideas.
Power Struggle Shapes Response
- The Chinese government struggled internally between reformers and hardliners over how to respond to protests.
- Hardliners prevailed leading to a harsh crackdown on the demonstrations.
Troops Indoctrinated for Crackdown
- Army units refused to fire on protestors; some generals were removed for resisting orders.
- Young rural soldiers were brought in, isolated, and indoctrinated to carry out the crackdown.