China's young demonstrators had only to consult the pages of their history books last week for a bit of inspiration -- and even a few lessons. Throughout this century, massive student rallies have often augured or advanced social and political change in China, ushering in new eras or helping set the country's political agenda. Indeed, the recent outpouring of unrest shares familiar themes with the outcries of earlier student generations: a fervent call for renewed national purpose and a noisy demand for domestic reform.
Foreign intrusion has frequently spurred student reaction. When Japan presented the Chinese government with its "21 demands"...
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