The Russo-Japanese War: Causes, Course, and Consequences

Archipelago

A group of islands.

Terraced farming

Crops grown in tiered steps on mountains.

Shogun

Military dictator who ruled Japan.

Daimyo

Nobles who controlled land and made laws.

Alternate attendance

System where daimyo spent time at the shogun's castle.

Feudal economy

Economic system based on land ownership.

Samurai

Japanese noble protectors, equivalent to knights.

Peasants

Farmers and labourers producing food crops.

Chonin

Merchants and artisans in Japanese society.

Eta

Social outcasts in Japan, associated with death.

Shinto

Native Japanese religion worshipping kami.

Buddhist influence

Influence on Shinto, addressing death and suffering.

Syncretism

Combining different beliefs or religions.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Warlord who established Tokugawa rule in Japan.

Mount Fuji

Iconic Japanese mountain, prone to volcanic eruptions.

Edo

Former name of present-day Tokyo, shogun's capital.

Dutch trade

Limited foreign trade with Dutch merchants in Japan.

Choshu clan

Feudal clan hostile to the Tokugawa family.

Hizen clan

Feudal clan supporting the Tokugawa family.

Satsuma clan

Feudal clan supporting the Tokugawa family.

Satake clan

Feudal clan supporting the Tokugawa family.

Tosa clan

Feudal clan supporting the Tokugawa family.

Shinto mythology

Beliefs about the origins of Japan from Shinto perspective.

Bakufu

Military government established by the Tokugawa clan.

Shinto religion

Dominant religion in Japan, worshipping kami.

Confucianism

Philosophical system popular in Japan under Tokugawa rule.

Villages

Administered by male family leaders, where peasants worked on public projects and crafts.

Merchants

In 19th century Japan, this class grew, had freedom of movement, and flocked to cities like Edo.

Geisha

Professional female entertainers, not prostitutes, trained in arts and conversation.

Bushido

Code of the samurai emphasizing loyalty to the ruler, valuing honor over shame.

Dutch Learning

In 17th-century Japan, samurai learned Western science and medicine from smuggled Dutch books.

Women's Status

In 19th-century Japan, women had low status, served men, and had limited opportunities outside the home.

Children in Shinto

Viewed as gifts of gods, celebrated at ages 3, 5, and 7, raised with respect for adults.

Isolation Policy

Tokugawa Ieyasu's 'closed country' policy, sakoku, cut off Japan from foreign influences for over two centuries.

Commodore Perry

American naval officer who negotiated the first treaty between Japan and a Western power in 1854.

Treaty of Kanagawa

Opened minor ports to US, granted 'most favoured nation' status

Shimoda

Location where US consul resided under the Treaty of Kanagawa

Most Favoured Nation

Status under the treaty granting US automatic benefits given to other powers

Townsend Harris

First US consul to Japan, negotiated the Harris Treaty

Harris Treaty

Opened four additional ports to US trade, granted religious freedom to Americans in Japan

Sonno Joi

Popular movement resisting foreign intrusion, calling for emperor's restoration

Emperor Komei

Summoned shogun to tear up foreign treaties, leading to conflict with Western powers

Shogunate

Abolished in 1868 after bombardment by foreign ships, ending Tokugawa rule

Meiji Restoration

Period of modernization in Japan under Emperor Meiji, ended feudalism

Samurai Class

Warrior class paid pensions to give up feudal entitlements after the Meiji Restoration

Meiji Emperor

Took title 'Meiji', initiated modernization in Japan, moved capital to Tokyo

Feudal System

Centuries-old system abolished by the Meiji Emperor

Central Bank

Established in 1882 in Japan to reform the economy and allow for investment

Foreign Ideas

Adopted by Japan for modernization, including engineering, medical advancements, compulsory education, army organization, and legal system

Class Divisions

Continued in Japanese society post-modernization, difficult to rise from

Code of Bushido

Warrior code followed by samurai, remained important after the Meiji Restoration

Shinto revival

Encouraged worship of the emperor for protection

Compulsory education

Aided the spread of Japanese nationalism

Imperial power

Japan's goal to be equal to European nations

Treaty of Kanghwa

1876 agreement allowing Japanese traders in Korea

Conscription

Mandatory military service for males over 20

Anglo-Japanese Alliance

1902 pact between Britain and Japan for mutual support

Yukichi Fukuzawa

Expressed Japan's aspiration for power and equality

War with China

Conflict leading to Chinese defeat and cession of Taiwan

Russo-Japanese War

1904-1905 conflict resulting in Russian defeat and concessions

Port Arthur

Strategic location leased by Russia from China

Treaty of Portsmouth

1905 agreement ceding territories to Japan and ending the war

Battle of Tsushima

Naval battle where Japan decisively defeated Russia

Japanese casualties

Around 50,000 soldiers and sailors killed in the war

Perspectives on the war

Differing views on the conflict from Japanese and Russian sides

Sphere of influence

Area where a country has significant control or influence

Military nature of alliance

Alliance between Britain and Japan for military support

Japanese victory at Port Arthur

Symbolized by a blockprint artwork showing triumph

Russian defeat at Tsushima

Loss of battleships and destroyers to the Japanese navy

Negative consequences for Japan

High casualties and doubts about the benefits of the war

Positive outcomes for Japan

Acquisition of territories and recognition as a significant power

Russian propaganda

Efforts to influence public opinion in favor of the war

Japanese propaganda

Depicted as the god of peace in stamping on a Russian warship

Chinese perspective

Shown in a postcard depicting Japan bullying China

Russian perspective

Illustrated in a cartoon portraying Japan's actions negatively

Japanese aspirations

Desire to control China and India, and challenge European powers

British support

Alliance with Japan to counter Russian expansion