Russo-Japanese War 1904 – Flashcards

1. Both russia and japan wanted to expand into chinese empire 2. Russia wanted coastline and ports that weren't iced 3. Japan wanted land and resources for its growing population 4. 1898, Chinese granted Russia a 25 year lease on Liaodang Peninsula so that they could expand their Trans-Siberan railway towards Port Arthur (ice free port) 5. Japanese had briefly held port Arthur in 1895 6. January 1904, Japanese attacked Port Arthur in an attempt to drive them out

1. Industrialists and traders saw commercial opportunities 2. Control of the Pacific coast offered security 3. Officers and soldiers keen to show off their abilities to win 4. Nicholas disliked the Japanese and believe in saving chime from "yellow peril" a prejudice many Russians shared 5. Strategical advantages 6. Russia was suffering from economic depression with strikes and uprisings

1. The war was concluded at a peace conference arranged by President Roosevelt in Portsmouth USA, 23 August 2. Russia recognised Japan's sphere of influence and surrendered its lease on Port Arthurt and Laidong railways 3. Defeat by and Asian power increased internal unrest and provoked feelings of shake and anger 4. Humiliation - first time in modern history that a Western Country was defeated by an Eastern country 5. Plehve was assassinated by social revolutionaries in July 1904 6. Renewed Zemstva demands for a National Assembly 7. Food and fuel shortages leading to price rise and factories closing (unemployment) 8. War time discontent led to a revolution in St Petersburg in 1905

1. War was 6000 miles from St Petersburg and it took 6 days for men and supplies to reach the frontline 2. Tsar refused to send his best troops to the conflict incase their absence would encourage revolts in St Petersburg 3. Troops fought bravely but were badly led by over confident officers 4. Ammunition was in short supply 5. Japanese had more modern weaponry and superior organisation

1. Japanese regarded as inferior race 2. Japanese attack on Port Arthur appeared to be unprovoked aggression 3. Large number of peasants were conscripted to fight the army 4. The Russian soldiers were defeat with 90,000 deaths 5. Russo-Japanese was exacerbated existing economic problems 6. News reports reported poor distribution of supplies and inadequate ammunition at the front 7. Russian Baltic fleet was sunk in 90 minutes 8. Reports made it clear that the army was badly led and organised