On November 11, 1918, the last 4 years of the first world war in Britain, the United States, France and other countries win and Germany, the failure and come to an end. In January 1919, the Allies of winning Versailles peace conference in Paris. The republic of China as a victorious nation to attend the meeting. The republic of China on behalf of foreign in China are put forward at the meeting were abolished privileges, cancel the twenty-first article, etc. As required, are refused. The meeting Japan was decided to take over Germany in China of all kinds of privileges. Treaty of this country, the republic of China on behalf of preparing signature recognition. Word came that the wrath of the whole nation and public anger. Take the student as the forerunner of the May 4th patriotic movement as the volcanic eruptions began.
In the afternoon of May 4th rally ahead of more than 3000 students in tiananmen square in Beijing, they shouted: "I also Qingdao, outside for sovereignty, except the kleptocratic" slogans, such as calling for people from all walks of life, oppose imperialist aggression, defend the Chinese territory and sovereignty. The movement of all ranks of workers and the solidarity and support, Shanghai, nanjing and other places of the workers go on strike or protest. Under the pressure of the people throughout the country, the northern government was forced to release the arrested students, remove Cao Rulin and others post, and instructions Paris to attend the meeting of the representatives refused to sign the contract.
1918年11月11日，延续4年之久的第一次世界大战以英、美、法等国的胜利和德、奥等国的失败而告结束。1919年1月，获胜的协约国在巴黎凡尔赛宫召开和平会议。中华民国作为战胜国参加会议。中华民国代表在会上提出废除外国在华特权，取消二十一条等正当要求，均遭拒绝。会议竟决定日本接管德国在华的各种特权。对这丧权辱国的条约，中华民国代表居然准备签字承认。消息传来，举国震怒，群情激愤。以学生为先导的五四爱国运动就如火山爆发一般地开始了。
5月4日下午，北京3000多名学生在天安门前集会游行，他们高呼：“还我青岛、外争主权，内除国贼”等口号，呼吁各界人士行动起来，反对帝国主义的侵略行径，保卫中国的'领土和主权。这一运动得到的工人和各阶层人士的声援和支持，上海、南京等地的工人纷纷举行罢工或示威。在全国人民的压力下，北洋政府被迫释放被捕学生，罢免曹汝霖等人的职务，并指令巴黎参加会议的代表拒绝在和约上签字。