Russo-Japanese War

What did the Russo-Japanese War expose about Russia?

The Russo-Japanese War exposed the weakness of the Tsarist Russia’s government, military and infrastructure.

What did Russia think of Japan?

Russia had greatly underestimated Japan, assuming it to be a backward Asian power.

Under which Japanese emperor were reforms implimented? And what had Japan adopted?

Under Emperor Meiji, Japan had undergone rapid modernisation and industrialisation, adopting Western technology and organisational methods.

What key battles did Japan win?

• The Siege of Port Arthur (which fell in January 1905)

• Battle of Tsushima (May 1905) where the Russian Baltic fleet was completely destroyed after an 8 month voyage to the far east

Why was the loss said to be an humiliation?

The defeat was a major national humiliation for Russia and shattered the myth of the Tsarist strength.

What treaty was signed in 1905 and what did it do?

The government was forced to accept peace through the treaty of Portsmouth in 1905.

Who mediated it? What did the Treaty of Portsmouth do?

• The treaty was mediated by the US President Theodore Roosevelt.

• Caused Russia to withdraw their troops from Manchuria

• Recognised Japanese control over Korea and Port Arthur.