RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR: BACKGROUND, CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES - HISTORY - 2025

The Russo-Japanese War began on February 8, 1904 and lasted until September 5, 1905, ending with the victory of Japan. The main cause of the war conflict was the territorial ambitions of both countries, which caused them to collide in several territories.

Russia was looking for a port that did not freeze in winter. The one in Vladivostok, because of the ice, could only be used for a few months and the tsarist government wanted a base for its army in the area. The chosen target was Port Arthur, in China.

Japan had become the great Asian power after the war against China. He had gained territory, although he had to cede the mentioned Chinese port to the Russians. For some years, representatives of the two countries held talks, but without reaching relevant agreements and, finally, the conflict broke out between them.

The Japanese army achieved clear victories over the Russian, who in the end had to accept defeat. The consequences were that the Asian country reinforced its preponderant position in Asia. Furthermore, in Russia disenchantment was one of the reasons for the 1905 Revolution.

Finally, the Japanese victory astonished a racist Europe, which did not think that it was possible for a non-white people to win in such a conflict.

Background

European powers settled in the Far East from the end of the 19th century. China's weakness and vast resources made it a highly coveted target, and not just for European countries, but also for Japan, which was getting stronger.

In this way, he began a race to try to control as much Asian territory as possible. Initially, the Japanese focused on Korea and northern China, an area that Russia also intended.

In any case, the Japanese victory in the first war against China only made Japan increase its power and influence in the area. However, she still could not face the powers of Europe. They lobbied for him to return part of the territory gained to the Chinese.

Russia in Asia

Russia was looking for a port as a base for its Navy in the Pacific. In 1896, she agreed with China to use Port Arthur, precisely one of the territories that Japan had been forced to return after the war.

One of the (secret) clauses of the treaty that regulated this transfer was of a military nature: Russia promised to defend China if Japan attacked. Another aspect of the treaty gave Russia permission to build a railway across the territory.

Manchuria

In 1900 Russia took advantage of the Boxer Revolt to occupy Manchuria. It was actually an action independently undertaken by the army, as the government did not give the go-ahead. No other country objected to the invasion.

Two years later, China managed to get the Russians to agree to leave the region, but in the end, they did not. Moreover, his Pacific fleet had already reached Port Arthur and the railroad was completed.

Korea

Korea was one of the places where the confrontation between Russia and Japan was most evident. At first, both powers reached an agreement to share influence on the peninsula.

However, in 1901 Japan breached the neutrality agreement, since it would have meant that Russian influence in Manchuria had been enhanced.

Agreement between Japan and Great Britain

The agreement between Japan and Great Britain is one of the most important points to know the context before the war. It all started when, in 1898, Russia did not allow China to use Port Arthur, and they kept all control of the port. This greatly upset the Japanese and the British, concerned about their trade in the area.

Despite attempts by Great Britain to prevent Russian settlement in the area, they failed to prevent it. This led them to seek an agreement with the Japanese. They had tried to negotiate with Russia, but it had all been in vain. Finally, that Japanese-British agreement was signed in 1902.

One of the points of the treaty committed the British to build military ships for Japan, which they fulfilled in a short time.

There would still be one last attempt at negotiations with Russia to no avail. Japan demanded that they leave Manchuria and made other harsh conditions. After two years of meetings, the Asian country decided to break relations in 1904.

Causes of war

Faced with the usual conflicts in Europe, between Japan and Russia there was no historical enmity or past affronts. The main cause of the war was, simply, the dispute to control the same territories in Asia.

Economic causes

The first thing that moved Russia to make many moves in the Far East was to want to open new trade fronts. The founding of Vladivostok ("the one that dominates the East" in Russian) was a clear example of this. However, the port of that city was frozen for a good part of the year, so he looked for another one that would serve him better.

Another economic cause was the loan granted to China to pay compensation to Japan for the war between the two. In exchange, China allowed Russia to build a railway line through its territory, through Manchuria. This did not please the Japanese, who also wanted to expand their economic influence.

Political causes

The end of the Sino-Japanese conflict left several agreements that greatly favored the Japanese. The Nipponese had gained control of the territory in which Port Arthur was located. Pressure from the European powers forced him to abandon it.

Germany had also shown an interest in that part of the world. In 1897 she occupied Quindao, in China, which worried the Russians, fearful that their projects would not be consolidated. As a preventive measure, she sent a squad to Port Arthur and got China to rent out their use. Japan protested, but to no avail.

Another cause, although less known, was the bad experience of Tsar Nicolas II when he traveled to Vladivostok. The monarch was attacked and wounded by a Japanese and it seems that this generated a great resentment towards Japan.

In August 1903 the Russians created the Viceroyalty of the Far East and put in charge a nobleman with no negotiating experience. Although it is true that the Japanese requests were very harsh, the Russian delegation did not put anything on their part either. In this way, two days before the war began, relations were completely broken.

Military cause

Russia only began to militarize the Far East in 1882, as it previously had no major enemies. When China and Japan were strengthened, the Russians found it necessary to send troops to the area, as well as to build the railway line.

Japan made it clear that it was willing to use force to defend its requests. At the time, the West did not take those statements seriously.

The rebellion of the Boxers caused that almost 1000 kilometers of the Trans-Siberian were destroyed. With that excuse, Russia sent 100,000 soldiers to the area, entering Manchuria to protect their interests.

Consequences of the war

Two days after Japan broke relations with Russia, due to the failure of the negotiations to order the area, the war began. The Japanese attacked, without prior declaration, the Russian port of Port Arthur. Soon they continued advancing, conquering Mudken.

In general, the entire conflict was a succession of Japanese victories, albeit at high economic cost. The Russian fleet was quite old and could not compete with the European-built ships of its enemies.

The sea battle of Tsushima was the final blow to Russian ambitions. His army was swept by the Japanese.

Treaty of Portsmouth

Military historians claim that Russia was doomed to defeat beforehand. His command has been described as incompetent and the troops never reached the necessary number to be able to fight the Japanese army.

All the war material was sent by train, by the Trans-Siberian. It was a slow system and therefore ineffective. Therefore, it is not surprising that, after the surprise attack on Port Arthur, the conflict ended with the Japanese victory.

The Treaty of Portsmouth was negotiated and signed in that American city. Russia was very weakened, with strong internal conflicts. It is no less true that Japan had almost been ruined by the war so, despite the victory, it had to be prudent in its requests.

Roosevelt, President of the United States, was the mediator in these negotiations. Eventually, Russia recognized that Japan should have priority in Korea, was forced to cede Port Arthur and other territories, and had to return Manchuria to China.

However, Japan did not obtain payment of any amount of money, something that was a priority given the state of its accounts.

The insurrection of 1905

Apart from the deprivations suffered by the Russian population, the war was one of the reasons that led to the Revolution of 1905.

Psychological change in the West

The psychological impact that Japan's victory had on Europe was considerable. For the first time a non-Caucasian country demonstrated superiority over the European powers. This not only caused shock and confusion in that racist society, but also encouraged numerous anti-colonial movements.

Some authors call this war the end of the myth of the white man. On the other hand, Japan gained great international prestige. It must be borne in mind that her performance, unlike what happened in the Second World War, was quite humanitarian for a war.

References

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2. EcuRed. Russo-Japanese war. Obtained from ecured.cu
3. Maffeo, Aníbal José. The Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Recovered from iri.edu.ar
4. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Russo-Japanese War. Retrieved from britannica.com
5. Slawson, Larry. The Russo-Japanese War: Political, Cultural and Military Consequences. Retrieved from owlcation.com
6. Szczepanski, Kallie. Facts on the Russo-Japanese War. Retrieved from thoughtco.com
7. Farley, Robert. When Japan and Russia Went to War. Retrieved from nationalinterest.org