November 25, 2007

During the 1960s the Cultural Revolution led to widespread activism by the Chinese youth. In the 1980s, both university and secondary students were heavily involved (if not the driving force) of the pro-Democracy Movement. In both of these major events in modern Chinese history, students were integral players in the political scene with or without state support. Students actions led to reforms and repercussions felt throughout China in both the 1960s and the 1980s. These two movements, while centering on youth activism, had many differences in their actions and results.