Russo-Japanese War

Why did tsar want port Arthur

Ice free, access to pacific

Background of port Arthur

Russia obtained a lease on it around 10 years prior. Built trans-Siberian railway linking to European Russia and built up troops in Manchuria

What did Russia do with port Arthur up to outbreak of war

Build trans-Siberian railway linking to European Russia; troops placed in Manchuria

Outbreak of war

Japan tried to initiate negotiations, early 1904 both broke off diplomatic ties, Feb 1904 japan attacked port Arthur

Japanese negotiation terms before outbreak of war

Would recognise Russian autonomy in Manchuria if Russians recognise Japanese control of Korea

When did Russian and jap govs break off diplomatic ties

Early 1904

Japan attack Russian forces holding port Arthur and declare war

February 1904

Directly after outbreak of war Attitude was

Confident of victory, japan not advanced. Russian propaganda mocked japan

Japan actually wasn’t that ‘backwards’ because

Navy bolstered by British, provided recently constructed warships

after initial jap attack

Russia suffered humiliating defeats

By august 1904

Japan had surrounded and laid siege to port Arthur

How japan laid siege to port Arthur

100,000+ troops placed around port city, warships prevented Russian ships leaving harbour

What happened after japan laid siege to port Arthur

Russian Baltic fleet Dogger Bank incident

October 1904

Dogger Bank: Baltic fleet mistakes British fishing boats for Japanese torpedo boats

By January 1905

Port Arthur had fallen to Japanese forces

What happened after Dogger Bank

By Jan 1905 port Arthur had fallen to jap

Opposition to regime / internal unrest grew closer

Summer 1904 minister of interior assassinated, Feb 1905 tsar’s uncle

Evidence Witte opposed the war

Sent letters in Feb 1905 urging peace but was now out of favour with tsar

March 1905

Battle of Mukden ; greatest land battle; almost 100,000 losses total. French loan negotiations broke off

Impact of french loan negotiations shut down in march 1905

Hard to continue war bc no money

May 1905

Baltic fleet defeated at Tsushima; All 8 battleships sunk/captured

What happened after Tsushima may 1905

Witte began negotiations with japan moderated by US

June 1905

Potemkin mutinies

29 September 1905

Treaty of Portsmouth signed

Terms of treaty of Portsmouth

Russia concedes port Arthur; acknowledge japan’s authority over Korea