russo-japanese war

Russia’s rivalry over Manchuria

• Manchuria had mineral wealth and a warm water port at Port Arthur

• Russia’s seas froze over in winter months so they wanted a port with access to the sea year-round

• Japan also wanted Manchuria. In 1895 Japan wanted Manchuria, but were backpedalled by European powers.

• In 1898 Russia forced China to give it access to Port Arthur, angering Japan

• Attempts in early 1900s to negotiate their differences failed.

• In early 1904 Japan attacked.

The War

• Russia went to war over-confident and under-prepared.

• They viewed Japan as racial inferiors and that the war would be a “short victorious war”

• There was also hope that a victory would help quell matters at home.

Russia’s Humiliations

• Japan laid siege to Port Arthur early in the war: in January 1905 it surrendered.

• In February 1905 Russian land forces lost a hard-fought battle major battle at Mukden

• The greatest humiliation was Russia’s defeat at the naval battle of Tsushima in May 1905

• With Russia’s main naval force in the Pacific trapped in Port Arthur, Nicholas made Russia’s baltic fleet to sail around the world to battle with the Japanese.

• After an eight-month voyage, it was annihilated.

Outcome of the war

• The war was ended by the Treaty of Portsmouth, USA in September 1905 which included Russia agreeing to abandon Port Arthur and its ambitions in Manchuria

• Liberal opinion in Russia was angered by the mishandling of the war and its hostility towards the regime intensified. Liberal leaders were aware that military set-backs aided their cause

• As they were aware that military failure left the regime vulnerable, liberals were more bold with their challenge of the regime.

• This is reflected in the League of Liberation’s banquet campaign, launched in late 1904, reflected this challenge.

• Economic life was disrupted - unemployment and food prices rose, deepening working class discontent