The Russo – Japanese War Lesson Focus Motives for going to war Russian attitude to Japan Course of the war Reasons for Russian defeat Prelude to revolution

Lesson Focus

Motives for going to war

Russian attitude to Japan

Course of the war

Reasons for Russian defeat

Prelude to revolution

What were the motives in going to war? What problems do you think Nicholas faced in defending the Russian empire? With economic problems within the Russian empire, why do you think his advisers encouraged Nicholas to go to war? MOTIVE ONE: Expansion in the far east would balance out decline in Europe MOTIVE TWO: Gaining an ice free port for the Russian navy MOTIVE THREE: Distraction from domestic troubles

What problems do you think Nicholas faced in defending the Russian empire?

With economic problems within the Russian empire, why do you think his advisers encouraged Nicholas to go to war?

MOTIVE ONE: Expansion in the far east would balance out decline in Europe

MOTIVE TWO: Gaining an ice free port for the Russian navy

MOTIVE THREE: Distraction from domestic troubles

Russian Attitudes to Japan How do you think the Russians looked upon the Japanese as a nation? Inferior nation No match for Russian military might and prowess Easy to provoke a war (PRETEXT) Russia rejected a rival Japanese claim over Korea in 1904, and the Japanese attacked the Russian fleet.

How do you think the Russians looked upon the Japanese as a nation?

Inferior nation

No match for Russian military might and prowess

Easy to provoke a war (PRETEXT)

Russia rejected a rival Japanese claim over Korea in 1904, and the Japanese attacked the Russian fleet.

The Course of the War Underestimation of Japanese strength Emperor Meiji had modernised the army and navy along Western lines January 1905 – Port Arthur fell to Japan March 1905 – Mukden in Manchuria seized by Japan May 1905 – Russian fleet destroyed at Tsushima September 1905 – Treaty of Portsmouth – Russia had to seek peace This gave Japan control of Korea and Port Arthur, and Russia had to withdraw from Manchuria The Retreat of Russian Soldiers from Mukden

Underestimation of Japanese strength

Emperor Meiji had modernised the army and navy along Western lines

January 1905 – Port Arthur fell to Japan

March 1905 – Mukden in Manchuria seized by Japan

May 1905 – Russian fleet destroyed at Tsushima

September 1905 – Treaty of Portsmouth – Russia had to seek peace

This gave Japan control of Korea and Port Arthur, and Russia had to withdraw from Manchuria

Why did Russia perform so poorly? Ineffective command and leadership Inadequate preparation for enemy or territory Poor tactics Poor infrastructure and supply National humiliation Incompetent government exposed Social unrest heightened Further build up of tension Final piece in the jigsaw of the 1905 revolution? What was the effect within Russia?

Ineffective command and leadership

Inadequate preparation for enemy or territory

Poor tactics

Poor infrastructure and supply

National humiliation

Incompetent government exposed

Social unrest heightened

Further build up of tension

Final piece in the jigsaw of the 1905 revolution?

Summary What was the biggest factor in Russia’s defeat in the Russo – Japanese war? Was it lack of military skill? Was it the Japanese being so good? Was it Russian cockiness?

What was the biggest factor in Russia’s defeat in the Russo – Japanese war?

Was it lack of military skill?

Was it the Japanese being so good?

Was it Russian cockiness?