Final answer:
Fear of American nuclear attack was not a contributing factor to dissent in China by the end of the 1980s. Economic concerns, political discontent, corruption, and an aging leadership were the main issues inciting protests like those at Tiananmen Square.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : a
By the end of the 1980s, the factor not contributing to dissent in China was fear of American nuclear attack. The primary concerns fueling dissent included economic inflation, which eroded the real wages of salaried workers, a push for greater democracy by students, consternation over the Communist Party's aging leadership, and widespread rumors of corruption and nepotism among party leaders.
The country, under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership, had begun moving towards a market economy and political reforms. Though Deng made clear his opposition to allowing any challenge to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) rule, the combination of economic modernization and the crackdown on demands for political liberalization led to significant unrest. This unrest culminated in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, where demands for democracy and frustration with government corruption were underscored before the government's violent suppression of the demonstrations.