Frontline: Tank Man
Please complete the viewer guide while watching the film. After the film is over, you will be assigned to answer (in detailed paragraph form) three of
the discussion questions.
1. While watching, list three adjectives that you would use to describe “The Tank Man.”
2. Tiananmen Square in the city of ____________, China and is the __________________ public space in the world.
3. After taking pictures of Tank Man, where did the one American journalist hide his film so that the Chinese
government could not get the film?
4. According to one of the men interviewed, Tank Man not only affected China but also the country that was then known
as the:
5. List some reasons why the people were protesting at Tiananmen Square?
6. After the protests at Tiananmen Square started, demonstrations started in over _____ Chinese cities.
7. About __________ Chinese troops were sent to Beijing in response to Tiananmen Square.
8. When the troops arrived the second time in Beijing they were given one basic instruction they by the leaders of the
Communist Party. What was it?
9. What types of things did the people of Beijing do to try and stop the Chinese army from entering the city?
10. The students were offered amnesty if they left the square. What does that mean?
11. Why did the Chinese government decide to use such violent force against the people?
12. The Chinese Red Cross initially reported that ________ died. According to the Chinese government, the official
figure is that _____ died.
13.
What are some of the theories about what happened to the Tank Man?
(end at 40:30)
14.
How did the university students respond to the picture of Tank Man?
(skip to 1:04:47)
15. How has the Chinese government kept the pictures and story of Tank Man from being discussed and learned about
since 1989?
16. When people in China search “Tiananmen Square” on Google what images appear? How many “internet police”
monitor the internet’s output in China?
17.
How was Shi Tao caught by the Chinese government? What was his punishment?
(end at 1:13.50)
(skip to 1:20:20 – 1:23.00)
Discussion Questions:
Choose three of the following discussion questions to answer in paragraph form for tomorrow.
1. Why do you think the Tank Man blocked the path of the tanks, and why do you think the tanks stopped at
Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989?
2. Many people are hopeful that as China develops more economic reform and prepares to host the 2008 Olympics,
they will address their terrible human rights record. In your opinion, why will this affect or not affect human rights
in China?
3. China maintains censorship over its media. What challenges can the Internet pose to this control? What benefits
will the Chinese people get from more access to information through the Internet?
4. Why do you think Internet companies like Google were motivated to create modified search engines for Internet
users in China? Do you agree with those companies decision to self-censor themselves?
5. Think about your and your family's Internet activities. What typical Internet use would the Chinese government
find objectionable? Which sites would be blocked? Why?
6. In your opinion what does the Tank Man symbolize to China and the world? Do you think that the spirit of the
Tank Man will result in changes in China?