Democracy Wall is located in which country?

The correct answer is China.
The Democracy Wall (Xidan Democracy Wall) was a specific brick wall in the Xidan district of Beijing, China. It became the focal point for a significant democratic movement that took place between November 1978 and December... Read More

1 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE MCQS

Democracy Wall is located in which country?

  • USA
  • UK
  • Japan
  • China
Correct Answer: D. China

Detailed Explanation

The correct answer is China.


The Democracy Wall (Xidan Democracy Wall) was a specific brick wall in the Xidan district of Beijing, China. It became the focal point for a significant democratic movement that took place between November 1978 and December 1979.


Historical Context:


Following the end of the Cultural Revolution and the death of Mao Zedong, the Democracy Wall emerged as a place where citizens could express their political views and grievances.



  • Big-Character Posters: Activists and ordinary people would paste "dazibao" (big-character posters) on the wall to criticize government policies and call for political reform.

  • The "Fifth Modernization": The most famous document associated with the wall was an essay by Wei Jingsheng, titled "The Fifth Modernization." He argued that China could not truly modernize its economy, science, or military without also embracing democracy as a fifth pillar.


Significance and Shutdown:


For a brief period, the movement was tolerated by the government as it helped sideline political rivals. However, as the criticisms became more direct toward the Communist Party leadership, the government cracked down on the activists.



  • Arrests: Wei Jingsheng and other prominent leaders were arrested in early 1979.

  • Closure: In December 1979, the authorities banned posters at Xidan and moved the "official" area for posters to a remote park, effectively ending the movement.


Comparison of the Options:



  • USA: While known for the "First Amendment" and free speech areas, there is no specific historical site officially titled the "Democracy Wall" in this context.

  • UK: Famous for "Speaker’s Corner" in Hyde Park, London, where people speak publicly, but it is not known as the Democracy Wall.

  • Japan: Has a strong democratic tradition, but the specific term refers to the 1978 Chinese political event.

  • China: The correct answer, referring to the Xidan Wall in Beijing.

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