Russian early 20th century was considered a strong Eurasian power.The country has a very significant international prestige.
At the turn of 19-20 centuries, the international situation developed against the background of the great struggle for the redivision of the world, to strengthen the direct annexation (joining) of different areas with their transformation into a colony.
foreign policy of Russia in the early 20th century was carried out in accordance with the geographical position, strategic, geopolitical and economic interests.This inconsistency was noted in the selection of priority areas and allies.The situation was aggravated by the inconsistency of methods that chose Nikolai 2 in the implementation of foreign policy objectives.
However, part of the government's apex (Stolypin, Witte), realizing the danger of conflicts of modernization in the country, insisted on the use of peaceful, diplomatic means.At the same time Russia in the early 20th century, it is actively involved in issues of disarmament.
other part in government circles (Sazonov, BEZOBRAZOV and others), speaking for the continuation of territorial gains, took expansionary stance.
Russia in the early 20th century, has kept for himself the traditional foreign policy direction.The main, still, it was considered the Middle East.Russian state seemed to Balkan nations ally and protector.However, due to the strengthening of friendly relations with them, Russia in the early 20th century met the opposition of some European countries.
allied relations in the European direction with such countries as Austria-Hungary, Germany cooled more.Do not bring positive results in the establishment of mutually beneficial relations and numerous meetings with the German Russian Emperor.Thus, it was doomed to failure all the attempts to create a Russian-German-French alliance.At the same time Russia in the early 20th century, amid conflicting relations with Germany, strengthening the friendship with France, concluded in the years 1891-1893, he has been forced to move closer to England.
After signing in 1904 of an agreement between Britain and France, amid growing German militarism Russian government has acceded to the Anglo-French alliance.At the same time, some of Russia's actions were not supported neither England nor France, which forced her to seek an agreement with the German government.
At the beginning of the 20th century Russian Empire stepped up in the Far East foreign policy direction.It should be noted that the Far East was a place of great attraction for all of their interests in the late 19th century.
Quite often suffered imperialist aggression on the part of many countries backward and weak China.Colonies (zone of influence) has acquired Germany, England, France.America (USA) proclaimed the doctrine of "equal opportunities and open doors", leading in practice to the "enslavement" of China in the economic sphere.For Japan, Korea walked away, the Pescadores, Taiwan.
Japanese government aims to take a leading position in the Pacific region.Claiming to create a "Greater Asia", he prepared the seizure of Manchuria - the north-eastern province in China.In turn, the Russian state posed a threat to the location and approval from Japan's eastern borders.
Along with other countries, Russia has sought to become the owner of the Far East and their zones of influence.In 1896 she enters into a defensive alliance with China against Japan.In Manchuria in 1900 were vedeny Russian troops.In 1903, Russian-Japanese talks on the fate of Korea and Manchuria were deadlocked.It was connected with the desire of both sides to rule in China.Thus England has provided support to Japan.In 1902 he was awarded Anglo-Japanese alliance.And in 1904 - it was the year of the outbreak of war (Russian-Japanese).
