The Russo-Japanese War
Driven by imperialist desires, Russia saw the need to expand their influence into Asia. Racial ideas of European superiority reinforced the idea that Russia would easily overcome any Asian threat. However, this was not the case. The source below is a foreign postcard depicting the expectations and reality of the Russo-Japanese War.
Russia and Japan had been in negotiations for a few years over territory and resources. The rationale was two-fold. Firstly, additional resources and territory may alleviate the economic problems at home. Secondly, the possibility of war and threats from abroad may address social issues at home by stimulating a sense of community and nationalism.
War began on February 4th 1904, with Russian troops scrambling to respond the Japanese attack. With Russia’s slow industrialisation and lack of adequate transport networks, Russia troops were already at a disadvantage. With the problems Russia was facing at home, coupled with an underestimation of the Japanese forces, the campaign became a national disgrace. Peace treaty negotiations began in August 1905 and culminated in the Treaty of Portsmouth.
While the war itself was relatively short lived the impact on Russian society was large. The huge financial and human costs of the war, along with the perceived failure of the Tsar over what should have been an easy foe, led to growing opposition from the people. The turmoil of 1905 may not have escalated as much if it were not for the failures of the Russo-Japanese war.
The following source contains excerpts from the Treaty of Portsmouth.
To download the pdf version of this source please visit http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/portsmouth.pdf
War began on February 4th 1904, with Russian troops scrambling to respond the Japanese attack. With Russia’s slow industrialisation and lack of adequate transport networks, Russia troops were already at a disadvantage. With the problems Russia was facing at home, coupled with an underestimation of the Japanese forces, the campaign became a national disgrace. Peace treaty negotiations began in August 1905 and culminated in the Treaty of Portsmouth.
While the war itself was relatively short lived the impact on Russian society was large. The huge financial and human costs of the war, along with the perceived failure of the Tsar over what should have been an easy foe, led to growing opposition from the people. The turmoil of 1905 may not have escalated as much if it were not for the failures of the Russo-Japanese war.
The following source contains excerpts from the Treaty of Portsmouth.
To download the pdf version of this source please visit http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/portsmouth.pdf
References for this page:
Asia for Educators (n.d.) Excerpts from the Treaty of Portsmouth 1905. Retrieved from http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/portsmouth.pdf
Dower, J (2008). Yellow Promise/Yellow Peril: Foreign Postcards of the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Retrieved from http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/yellow_promise_yellow_peril/
Florinsky, M. (1964). Russia, A Short History. New York: The Macmillan Company.
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
Walder, D. (1973). The Short Victorious War: The Russo-Japanese Conflict 1904-5. Devon: Readers Union Limited.
Asia for Educators (n.d.) Excerpts from the Treaty of Portsmouth 1905. Retrieved from http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/portsmouth.pdf
Dower, J (2008). Yellow Promise/Yellow Peril: Foreign Postcards of the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Retrieved from http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/yellow_promise_yellow_peril/
Florinsky, M. (1964). Russia, A Short History. New York: The Macmillan Company.
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
Walder, D. (1973). The Short Victorious War: The Russo-Japanese Conflict 1904-5. Devon: Readers Union Limited.