The May Fourth Incident refers to a series of protests that began on May 4, 1919, in Beijing, China. These demonstrations were sparked by the Chinese government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, which awarded German concessions in China to Japan. Students and intellectuals rallied against foreign imperialism and called for national reform. The incident marked a significant turning point in Chinese history, leading to the rise of the New Culture Movement. It encouraged a wave of nationalism and the promotion of modern ideas, including democracy and science, while rejecting traditional Confucian values.