China’s rapid economic reforms fueled a surge in corruption and nepotism, igniting widespread student anger that eventually cast scrutiny on Deng Xiaoping’s own family. Deng, then the country’s paramount leader, faced growing pressure as Hu Yaobang, an ardent reformist, took a stand against corruption. Hu’s unyielding commitment ultimately led Deng to dismiss him from his position. Zhao Ziyang, Hu’s successor, was even more inclined toward democratic reforms, further unsettling Deng and straining their alliance.

Hu's death became a rallying point, sparking mass protests as students mourned him and demanded change. Tragically, these protests met with brutal repression, with countless lives lost as students courageously faced down tanks. The crushing of the movement stifled hopes for political reform and paved the way for Xi Jinping’s eventual rise to power, culminating in his role as China's supreme leader.

Then-General Secretary of the CCP and a champion of progressive ideals, Zhao Ziyang advocated for a measured approach toward the Tiananmen protesters. His empathetic stance deeply frustrated Deng Xiaoping, who ultimately stripped him of his position. Zhao had previously served as Premier of the State Council, a role he passed to Li Peng upon his departure.

Profoundly committed to reform, Zhao was the most democratic-minded leader the CCP had seen since its founding, embodying a vision for a more open China. His refusal to condemn his own moderate handling of the protests left a lasting impression on students, who saw him as a hero—a rare voice of compassion and change in a turbulent political landscape.

Hu Yaobang, the former General Secretary of the CCP, was a steadfast advocate for economic reform and modernization in China. His death on April 15, 1989, became a powerful catalyst, intensifying student discontent and sparking the movement that would culminate in the Tiananmen Square protests.

Throughout his career, Hu championed progressive policies, yet his perceived "laxness" and tolerance for "bourgeois liberalization" led Deng Xiaoping to hold him partly responsible for the unrest that was brewing. Deng ultimately pressured Hu to step down in 1987, with Zhao Ziyang succeeding him as General Secretary. Despite his forced resignation, Hu remained a respected figure, and his death served as a poignant rallying cry for students and reform-minded citizens who saw him as a symbol of the openness and change they sought.

Deng Xiaoping, head of both the CCP and the military, held ultimate authority over the decision to use force in quelling the Tiananmen Square protests. Known for ending the Cultural Revolution and dismantling Mao Zedong's lingering influence, Deng launched the sweeping economic reforms that reshaped China and catalyzed its rise as a global economic power.

However, Deng was deeply disapproving of Zhao Ziyang’s moderate approach to the protests, viewing it as dangerously lenient. After Zhao’s refusal to endorse the hardline response, Deng had him removed from power and placed under house arrest, where he remained until his death in 2005. Deng’s decisive—if ruthless—actions ended both the protests and Zhao’s political career, marking a turning point in China’s modern history.

Li Peng, then-Premier of China, became a symbol of the government's hardline stance against the Tiananmen Square protests. Known for his uncompromising approach, he was instrumental in advocating for the strict measures that ultimately led to the violent suppression of the demonstrators. His stern demeanor and role in the crackdown earned him the nickname "the butcher" among protesters, solidifying his reputation as a severe and unyielding leader during one of China’s most tumultuous periods.