Many things, but the 2 biggest groups student groups protesting peasants needs being prioritised and hardline gang of four supporters protesting reform and opening up.
how did it get violent?
Hard to pinpoint the exact starting incident but most evidence points to a US backed student group lynching a member of the PLA. You should also listen to the Chai Ling interview where she talks about her groups goal of causing bloodshed and causing a government response before she fled with US intelligence agency help.
At the square itself, not much, peaceful demonstrations that were peacefully dispersed.
Outside the square on the other hand there were violent clashes between the military (acting as riot police) and violent rioters.
Thanks for a genuine answer. What was the riot about, and how did it get violent?
I had spoken about this to my Chinese colleagues, and I heard different versions.
Many things, but the 2 biggest groups student groups protesting peasants needs being prioritised and hardline gang of four supporters protesting reform and opening up.
Hard to pinpoint the exact starting incident but most evidence points to a US backed student group lynching a member of the PLA. You should also listen to the Chai Ling interview where she talks about her groups goal of causing bloodshed and causing a government response before she fled with US intelligence agency help.