Because the May 4th Movement took place under the new social and historical conditions, it had some characteristics that the old democratic revolution represented by the Revolution of 1911 did not have. Mainly:
First, the May 4th Movement showed the thoroughness of anti-imperialism and feudalism.
Since modern times, China people's understanding of imperialism has gone through two stages. The first stage is the stage of superficial perceptual knowledge, which is typically manifested in the widespread xenophobic struggles such as the Boxer Rebellion. In the second stage, we entered the stage of rational understanding, that is, we saw all kinds of contradictions inside and outside imperialism, and saw the essence of imperialism uniting with the comprador class and feudal class in China to oppress the people of China. This understanding began around the May 4th Movement in 19 19. In this movement, slogans such as "transforming and seizing the world, denying secret diplomacy and implementing national self-determination" and "starting a new stove and forming a new government" were put forward. This shows that China people's struggle against imperialism and feudalism has reached a new level.
Second, the May 4th Movement was a real mass movement.
If one of the fundamental weaknesses of the Revolution of 1911 was that the masses were not widely mobilized and organized, then the May 4th Movement itself was a mass revolutionary movement. China's working class, students and the emerging national bourgeoisie took part in this movement. (Note: There is no peasant class at this time! Only a part of the peasant class participated)
Thirdly, the May 4th Movement promoted the spread of Marxism in China and its integration with the China workers' movement.
Fourth, the May 4th Movement was a resolute anti-imperialist movement initiated by students and expanded by workers. This is a new-democratic revolution led by the proletariat.
Fifth, the May 4th Movement was the beginning of the new-democratic revolution.