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Causes of Russo-Japanese War

Causes of Russo-Japanese War. 1868: Meiji Restoration Begins period of rapid westernization and modernization of Japan Russia keen to Reassert sphere of influence but how to deal with rising power of a modernizing and confident Japan? 1894-95: Japan defeated China

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Causes of Russo-Japanese War

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  1. Causes of Russo-Japanese War • 1868: Meiji Restoration Begins period of rapid westernization and modernization of Japan • Russia keen to Reassert sphere of influence but how to deal with rising power of a modernizing and confident Japan? • 1894-95: Japan defeated China • Russia (with Germany and France) interfered over Liaodong Peninsula-Why? • Russian Empire seeking warm-water port-Vladivostok ice bound • Trans-Siberian railway-Wittes economic reforms meant Russia was expanding and looking for influence and more markets in the far east- read Korea and China • 1898: Russia forced China to lease Port Arthur (Lushun) to them and accept 25 yr lease on Liaodong Peninsula

  2. Causes of Russo-Japanese War (cont.) • 1899-1901: Russians occupied Manchuria. By 1903 annexes Manchuria • 1903: Japan tried to negotiate: Recognition of rights of spheres of influence in Manchuria (Russia) and Korea (Japan) • Russia never agreed • Japan had just signed an Anglo Japanese alliance with Britain in 1902 so Russia on own…. • Rapid industrial development and modernization begun by Emperor Meiji means Japan has strong military. • Witte removed from post at this point….and Russian policy drifts • 6 Feb. 1904: Japan recalled ambassador as do not see Russia as negotiating in good faith • 8 Feb.: attacked Port Arthur; then declared war. • 16 Feb. 1904: Russia declared war

  3. Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905 • Siege of Port Arthur, 8 Feb 1904-2 Jan 1905 • Admiral S. O. Makarov & Admiral Vitgeft key Russian admirals • Japanese took key hilltop. • Used 11-inch (280 mm) Krupp howitzers to lay siege to the fortress • Japanese sink some ships and bottle up rest with a minefieldat Port Arthur • Major-General A. Stessel surrendered in Jan 1905 after a long costly siege and the loss of 31,000 men • Tsars land army also defeated at battle of Mukden in Feb 1905-90,000 men lost here too. Russian prestige shattered.

  4. Problems faced prior to 1905 revolution • From 1899 Russia hit by severe economic depression-unemployment and urban discontent rises • Between 1902 and 1903 big increase in number of mass strikes • Countryside no better-huge rise in population creates big pressure on land but most peasants still renting much of their land from huge holdings of rich gentry and best land held by the rich thus increasing poverty of peasants • Average size of landholdings decreased by 20 percent during this time but Kulaks grew richer (Darby p32) • Taxes had gone up and arrears were rising • In 1891-1892 and again in 1901-serious crop failure and bureaucracy seen as being incompetent and slow to help. ” Russian society had been activated and politicized by the famine crisis and its social conscience had been stung” Figes p161. Well up to 1900 and beyond ideas on reform raged in student circles and in the press • Growing feeling that if another disaster was to be averted wider circles of society would have to be drawn into its work • Zemstvos given new legitimacy and support from the liberal public due to work in health, education etc during famine crisis • 1902-major peasant uprisings-crushed by army • Nationalist agitation too from minorities e.g. Poles • Herein lies the rationale for a “small, victorious war” (Plehve) to take pressure off the state and unite the nation • A crucial mistake as history had shown that Russia's wars had not done this e.g. Crimean war brings in drastic reforms of 1860s… • Upon war breaking out…initial enthusiasm sours as reality sets in and Russian forces defeated • Attempts by zemstvos to help govt during the war over problems of supply led to conflicts with the bureaucracy and govt • This only served to fuel the liberal movements concerns which saw Tsarism as being incompetent and inefficient in the face of crisis.(Fitzpatrick)

  5. Attempts for liberal reform missed • Opposition: • Liberals: • 1903: Union of Zemstvo Constitutionalists • 1904: Union of Liberation • Socialists • Socialist-Revolutionaries (SR) • RSDRP (Bolsheviks and Mensheviks) • Plehve believed to have been killed by Socialist-Revolutionaries combat group, the SR terrorist group due to his approval of execution of socialist Hirsh Lekert in 1902 • His death applauded and welcomed by many in Russia-the indifference of the public to a shocking assassination proves fragility of publics support for tsars system. • P. D. Sviatopolk-Mirskii replaces him as new Minister of Interior (Police ministry) 1902Attempted more liberal, moderate approach • Main belief was that for trust to develop, state and society must work together • Relaxed censorship, abolished corporal punishment and restores members of local councils(zemstvo) to posts • Due to this relaxed approach, Idea to hold a public congress to look at both local and national issues and plans laid by liberals and other stakeholders • First meeting-in Paris in secret proposes a “united front against autocracy: but followed by • Fall 1904: under pretence of Banquets and dinners- National zemstvo campaign: first national assembly in Russian history • What was main focus and discussion point? Democratic future –this group calls for constitutional reform. • Nicholas saw him as too radical and passes decree in December 1904 strengthens rule of law and zemstvos but not allowing for democratic parliamentary body- an opportunity missed……

  6. Bloody Sunday, 9/22 January 1905 • Sergei Zubatov (Okhrana) • Father Gapon: loyal, workers’ unions • Petition to the tsar at the Winter Palace • Improved working conditions • less overtime • higher wages • end Russo-Japanese war • universal suffrage • Peaceful, patriotic demonstration • About 300,000 people • 1000 died, some shot, some trampled.

  7. Bloody Sunday, 9/22 January 1905 From Nicholas II’s diary: 8 January 1905, Saturday: “Clear, icy day. There were many issues and reports. Breakfasted with Frideriks. Strolled a long time. Since yesterday all factories and mills went on strike. From the suburbs were called troops for strengthening the garrison. Until now workers have behaved peacefully. Their number has been determined as 120,000. At the head of the workers’ union is some sort of priest – the socialist Gapon. Mirskii arrived in the evening to report about measures taken.” 9 January 1905, Sunday: “Difficult day! In Petersburg serious disorders occurred as a result of workers’ desire to come to the Winter palace. Troops were forced to shoot in various parts of the city; many were killed and injured. God, how painful and difficult! Mama arrived to us from the city directly for mass. We all breakfasted together. Strolled with Misha. Mama stayed with us overnight.”

  8. End of Russo-Japanese War • Feb.-Mar. 1905: Battle of Mukden • 270,000 forces each side • 88,000 Russian casualties (8700 killed) • 75,000 Japanese casualties (16,000 killed) • Late May 1905: Battle of Tsushima • Russian Baltic fleet/Second Pacific Squadron (Oct 1904-May 1905) destroyed in less than 24 hours, destroying Russia ‘s naval power • Dogger Banks incident-On way to Pacific Russian warships accidentally fired on a group of English fishing boats! • Russians lost 21 ships and 4300 sailors. • Treaty of Portsmouth cedes Liaodong peninsula, Manchuria and southern part of Sakhalin island to Japan. Great loss of prestige. • News of disasters filter home to ordinary Russians, already gripped by troubles

  9. Revolution intensifies… • 4/17 Feb. 1905: Uncle Sergei Alexandrovich (b. 1857) assassinated. •  18 February (O.S.): Bulygin Rescript: • 'consultative' assembly • religious tolerance • freedom of speech • reduce peasants' redemption payments • 24-25 May: 300 Zemstvo and municipal representatives passed resolution popular representation at the national level. • 6 June: Nicholas received a Zemstvo deputation; confirmed his promise to convene an assembly of people’s representatives. • Not enough…

  10. Battleship Potemkin Mutiny, June 1905

  11. Russo-Japanese War ends • Treaty of Portsmouth5 September 1905 • Japan: south Sakhalin, Korea, Port Arthur • Russia: evacuate Manchuria (but no indemnity) • Casualties: • Japanese dead: 80,000 (in combat 47,000; of disease 33,000) • Wounded: at least 100,000 • Russian dead: 60,000 (47,500 in battle; 12,500 of disease) • Wounded: 146,000 • Russia’s reputation as Great Power • First Asian victory over European power, though at great sacrifice.

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