The awakening period is about the period from the New Culture Movement to the May 4th Movement. The whole TV series can be divided into three parts, namely, the New Culture Movement, the May 4th Movement and the Party Conference. As long as Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao and other advanced thinkers in China make some efforts and struggles for the rise of China Thought.

When Chen Duxiu just returned from Japan, he saw the scarred China and put forward the slogan of not talking about politics for 20 years. He believes that it is not feasible to solve the China problem politically, and the problem must be solved from the people's ideological perspective. So he wrote "New Youth" in Shanghai to arouse people's consciousness and make them realize ideologically that to save the country, they must change their minds and advocate democracy and science. "New Youth" has a great influence and quickly set off a frenzy in the Republic of China. Intellectuals rushed to buy his newspaper and read his wonderful articles, and a large number of outstanding intellectuals, such as Li and Hu, joined in one after another to edit New Youth with their peers, making New Youth grow and develop continuously.

But during the May 4th Movement, Chen Duxiu gradually realized that it was not enough to work hard in thought. It is not feasible not to talk about politics for 20 years. If people want to change their ideology, they must be connected with politics. Only when people realize that they are the masters of this country and participate in the change of this country can they really change this country. The former is ideological enlightenment, and the latter is action to save the country. During the May 4th Movement, students got up first, and then the workers, peasants and all the people United. The people's democratic consciousness enhanced their patriotic enthusiasm, which was unprecedented. Therefore, we say that the May 4th Movement was a leap from old democracy to new democracy.

In the third part, Chen and Li go to Shanghai together to escape the government's pursuit. On the way, they kept seeing refugees from all over the world, who were forced to survive by this creative country. Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao looked at their hoodwinked faces and agreed tearfully that they must establish a party of their own and let their own people have a place to live. It is under the leadership of this group of advanced people who love their country and love their country that we will have such a peaceful and beautiful society.