Commentary of Student Protest from Modern History
Throughout history, student-led protests have served as powerful catalysts for change, intended diversion from societal norms, and long-lasting memories in the heads of young communities. With the causes of mismanaged education systems, wars, and dictatorships, the highly educated parts of young generations have led society towards inclusion, peace, and freedom. Today, at universities, we are experiencing a new wave of protests. This is the perfect time to review what activism in the past has brought upon us. This article aims to offer a commentary and discuss the causes and effects of protests with immense historical meaning. Focusing on mainly educational institutes in the Western world, from Paris to Prague, we will list some of the most significant demonstrations of modern history.
1956- Hungary
In 1956, the entirety of the Eastern Bloc began to feel the wind of change. Starting in Poland in June 1956, working unions initiated protests and social unrest, demonstrating against Soviet oppression. By autumn, the morale of seeking freedom had reached Hungary as well. At the beginning of October, opposition covenants started to form to loosen the totalitarian communist ruling of the country. These organisations contained students from the more prominent universities of the country, who, on October 23rd 1956, started an open protest against the status quo. Which first started as a peaceful demonstration against government and communist party officials and soon turned into violent riots against the Soviet military presence in the country. From riots, citizens soon started an independence war until November 4th. The numerical superiority of Soviet armies won. However, the revolution is still remembered in the country as a success and a symbol of freedom and peace.
Hungarian kids demolishing Soviet Statue in 1956, source: http://www.magyaroktober.hu/felvetel?i=712805095&n=gyerekek-daraboljak-a-gellert-hegyi-felszabadulasi-emlekmu-ledontott-mellekalakjat-1956-10-29-korul
The conflict's importance is remembered not only because of its challenging effect on Soviet control but also for its symbol of resistance. It brought attention to the shared aspiration for self-determination and democratic governance and sparked additional demonstrations and upheavals throughout Eastern Europe and beyond. The sacrifice of teenagers from the ages of 10, university students, and working unions was indeed a David and Goliath fight. The 1956 events were a turning point in Hungarian history and profoundly ingrained in the country's national consciousness. They act as a constant reminder of the value of liberty, self-reliance, and the courage to oppose injustice. Even though these values are hard to find today, everyone can find some hope in them. The echo of the revolution is very well described by Lazio football fans who regularly sing 'Avanti ragazzi di Buda', meaning (Come on, you guys from Buda).
1960-70 - US Antiwar Protests
The protests of the 1960s were a series of demonstrations primarily against the Vietnam War. Although these were different in action, the ideological part and aim were the same. The Berkeley Free Speech Movement of 1964-1965 started as a demonstration against the abolition of human rights after the University of California banned on-campus political activities and fundraising. Even though the protest does not have a solid link to the Vietnam War, it is significant in the history of student movements. During the autumn of 1964, students organised large occupations of campus buildings and sit-ins around police vehicles and judiciary sights. This aspect laid down the groundwork for future student activism.
Mario Savio, a philosophy student from New York and a pioneer of the Free Speech Movement, on December 9, 1964, at a victory rally on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, source: https://inthesetimes.com/article/free-speech-radical
Building on this foundation of student activism the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in 1965 led one of the first demonstrations against the Vietnam War by gathering more than 20,000 students on a march in Washington. For years, SDS worked on an educational basis. By organising lectures at the University of Michigan, they spread the word about the war and mobilised opposition. However, the movement was unable to remain peaceful. In 1968 (Democratic Convention), radical members of the SDS, known as the Weatherman, started a confrontation with Chicago police to draw more attention to their cause. The aggressive aspect of the movement made it unpopular in the eyes of the public; however, in student circles, it created immense significance and galvanised activism for social justice nationwide. The infamous trial of the Chicago Seven is the aftermath of the Weatherman's activity, where popular characters like Tom Hayden and Todd Gitlin were brought before charges. The Netflix movie made in 2020 is a great and highly suggested watch on the topic.
Because of the richness of the topic, I could dedicate a separate article to the 1960s protests in the US. However, to move forward on the rocky history of student activism, let us view one last movement of the period. In 1968, students at Columbia University in New York City staged protests against the school's intentions to build a gymnasium in Morningside Park, a public area frequented by the nearby Harlem neighbourhood. Still, the main aim was to stop the university's participation in military research. The protester's primary tool was campus occupation, to which the police reacted with forceful measures and over 700 arrests. The violent reaction fueled more anger and strikes. Having no other chance, the university has cancelled the gymnasium construction and sought to loosen ties with the Institute of Defense Analysis. The movement showed the power of direct action from students and led to further cooperation between the university and its students.
1968 - Paris
Also known as May 68, student activism in Paris began at the University of Nanterre when students occupied administration buildings to protest against educational discrimination. In response, the university board shut down education due to ongoing unrest, which led students to move their protest to the Sorbonne University. After unsuccessful communication, the police entered the campus to evict students, which brought about the first violent clashes.
Following the events on campuses, students marched to the Latin Quarter of Paris, where thousands supported by young workers barricaded themselves against the police, leading to hundreds being arrested and injured. After a night full of aggression, public sympathy for the students was sparked by the copious deployment of tear gas and the violent methods employed by the police. The protest continued for the whole month of May, creating a scenario when 22% of the country's population participated in the activism. The government, fearing a civil war and continuing unrest, called for new elections after dissolving the National Assembly. The protest soon seemed to wane, and Charles de Gaulle claimed victory again in the June elections, consolidating his political power and stability.
The May 1968 events profoundly affected French politics and society. They brought about significant social reforms, a shift in cultural perspectives, and a rise in young people's political participation. The demonstrations had an impact on global social movements in the future. The 1968 protest and student self-awareness are deeply ingrained in French society thanks to influential individuals like Daniel Cohn-Bendit.
1989 - Prague
In almost all countries of the Eastern Bloc, an increased will to change the communist regime started in the 1980s after Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) reforms. The series of demonstrations in the Czech capital began with a commemoration of Jan Palach, a student who, in 1969, self-immolated to protest the Soviet invasion. The police answered with repression to the memorial movement, which in turn started to focus on Soviet oppression.
Later, in 1989, student protests started to form, which the police handled brutally, leading to broader activism and higher support from society. As soon as the police violence became widely known, dissidents like playwright Václav Havel mobilised the Civic Forum, a broad-based opposition group. The Civic Forum called for both the administration's resignation and political change. Thousands of people gathered in Wenceslas Square and other locations across Prague as the demonstrations swelled. A gentle gesture of jingling keys signified the attitude of nonviolence and togetherness that permeated the mood.
People from Czechoslovakia pour onto the streets of Prague in 1989 during the Velvet Revolution, source: Time Magazine: https://time.com/5730106/velvet-revolution-history/
After recognising that their stance was unworkable, the Communist Party leadership, in turn, started talks with the Civic Forum. Two critical concessions were promises of democratic elections and the resignation of staunch Communist officials. President Gustav Husák appointed a new government with a majority of non-communist politicians. Soon after, he resigned, which marked the end of the communist regime.
The Velvet Revolution remains a symbol of activism and is one of the few protests that achieved change and proved successful in all senses. It has brought significant economic and social changes, creating space for times characterised by freedom. Especially in Eastern Europe, the Velvet Revolution is still seen as a testament to the effectiveness of nonviolent protest and the will of ordinary people to bring about political change. It is praised for the peacefulness of its transition to democracy and for that.
Climate Activism - 2018-present
In August 2018, a then 15-year-old Greta Thunberg started her solo protest, sitting outside the Swedish Parliament urging politicians to act in the interest of the Paris Agreement. Her activism soon became a local phenomenon and rapidly spread over the internet through memes. However, she managed to reach her goal. Soon, a movement called Fridays For Future emerged that urged students to skip school on Fridays to bring attention to climate change. Soon, a coordinated protest by an estimated 1.4 million students from over 100 countries marked the movement's first significant worldwide strike. The strikes criticised government leaders for their inactivity and emphasised the critical need for climate action.
Greta herself became an internet personality, soon having the privilege to deliver speeches at events such as COP24 and the World Economic Forum. Her infamous speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit spread the internet with How Dare You memes. However, despite the negative feedback, she managed to create a movement with 4 million student participants globally.
Even though she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was named the Time's Person of the Year in 2019, her effect still needs to be determined. Because of the complex issue of climate change, it is still unclear if her work was positive or if she created a dislike for her activism on the more conservative side of society. One thing is obvious: her presence is memorable and will stay with us for years to come.
This is the end of our trip to student protests in modern history. In conclusion, young intellectuals have an immense impact on society, and we cannot put aside the power of educational institutes. Universities are a future meeting point where new ideas change hands and cultural differences are dissolved. The outcome of the current happenings in the Western world is still yet to be decided; however, one thing is sure: we need to look out because history might just be in the making.
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