From the archives: 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre covered by CBS News

Summary

The transcript details the violent suppression of the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing by the Chinese military. It describes the government's efforts to counter pro-democracy demonstrations, the crackdown on students, and the widespread casualties and unrest that followed. Eyewitness accounts and reports from CBS correspondents depict the chaos and brutality, with soldiers firing on unarmed civilians and tanks patrolling the streets. The international reaction is highlighted, including global protests, condemnation, and calls for a tougher response from the U.S. government.

Takeaways

• 😟 Government-sponsored rally in China drew thousands of anti-student protesters, with some dressed as Uncle Sam, reportedly incentivized by money.
• 🚓 Soldiers appeared in the streets around Tiananmen Square where thousands of students were camped, but initially did not take action against them.
• 💔 A bloody nighttime army assault ended the student protests in Tiananmen Square, with reports of many casualties.
• 🔫 Chinese Army troops retook Tiananmen Square, with soldiers firing into the crowd, leading to numerous deaths and injuries.
• 👮 CBS News correspondents Richard Roth and Derrick Williams were detained during the assault, but later freed without major injuries.
• 🚑 Hospitals in Beijing reported at least 325 wounded and 150 dead, though the true number is likely higher.
• 🔥 Enraged Beijing citizens set fire to military vehicles and continued to resist despite the heavy military presence and violence.
• 🌐 Protests and expressions of grief occurred globally, including major demonstrations in Hong Kong and across the United States.
• 🤝 President Bush condemned the violence and suspended military sales to China but aimed to maintain diplomatic relations.
• 🛑 International reactions included widespread condemnation, with protests occurring in cities worldwide and calls for further sanctions against China.

Q & A

What event is being described in the script?

The script describes the events of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Beijing, China, where government troops violently suppressed pro-democracy demonstrators.

What methods did the Chinese government reportedly use to attract anti-student protesters?

The Chinese government reportedly handed out money to attract some of the crowd for the anti-student protests.

How did the Chinese Army troops retake Tiananmen Square?

The Chinese Army troops retook Tiananmen Square with a violent nighttime assault, firing into the crowd and using tanks and armored personnel carriers.

What happened to CBS News team members Richard Roth and Derek Williams?

Richard Roth and Derek Williams were caught in the onslaught, taken into custody by soldiers, and later released after being held for 19 hours.

What was the international reaction to the Tiananmen Square Massacre?

The international reaction included widespread condemnation, protests, and demonstrations in cities around the world, expressing outrage and grief over the violence.

How did President Bush respond to the events in China?

President Bush issued a statement deploring the violence, suspended all U.S. military sales to China, and offered Red Cross help for the injured, but he did not cut off other trade or diplomatic relations.

What impact did the crackdown have on the perception of the Chinese military among Beijing residents?

The crackdown led Beijing residents to view the Chinese military as fascists, with many civilians expressing their anger by setting fire to military vehicles and condemning the soldiers' actions.

What happened during the initial attempts of unarmed troops entering Beijing?

Unarmed troops were initially surrounded by tens of thousands of Beijing citizens, stopped in their tracks, and eventually retreated. They later returned with combat troops and weapons.

How did the Chinese government justify the military action against the demonstrators?

The Chinese government falsely claimed that the demonstrators were armed insurgents attempting to overthrow the government and justified the military action as necessary to maintain order.

What was the symbolic significance of the lone man standing in front of the tanks?

The lone man standing in front of the tanks symbolized individual defiance and courage against the overwhelming force of the Chinese military, capturing global attention and becoming an iconic image of resistance.