Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905 Flashcards
Russo-Japanese War Summary
In 1900 Russia helped put down the ‘Boxer Rebellion’ in China. China gave Russia a winter base in Port Arthur on a 25 year lease in 1898
Japan unhappy with growing Russian influence in East Asia, protested to Russia in 1901.
Russia reneged on its agreement to remove troops from Manchuria, causing Japan to launch a small attack on port arthur. Port Arthur was then blockaded. Russia fell to numerous heavy naval defeats, the Port was surrendered and Russia signed the Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905, which said they removed their troops from Port Arthur, South Manchuria and South Sakhalin, also acknowledged Japanese superiority in Korea.
Political Impact of the War
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Greater opposition to government policy. Plehve & the Tsar’s Uncle, Grand duke Sergei, were assassinated in 1904 & 5 respectively
The loyalty of some leading Officers was fading. Generals such as Brusilov resented a small clique who were pushing for the Russo-Japanese War
Was a key factor in causing the 1905 Revolution
Economic impact of the war
Revealed serious transport & communication weaknesses, despite the expansion of the railways. The Trans-Siberian Railway was still unfinished and failed to efficiently transport troops and supplies to the warzone.
This led to further investment into transport and industry, causing rapid urbanisation and a rise in poor living conditions
Social Impacts of the war
Defeat could no longer be blamed on serfdom and backwardness, shattering the image of Russian power through the Tsars.
Following revolutions were the largest disturbances ever seen in Russia, more so than the peasant revolts, terrrist activities of the late 1800s and polish uprising
Emergence of the Duma (National parliament) was a massive step
