One of the biggest struggles is considered Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905.The reasons for it will be discussed in the article.As a result of the conflict have been applied battleships guns, long-range artillery, destroyers.
essence of this war was that which of the two warring empires will dominate the Far East.Russian Emperor Nicholas II held its first priority to enhance the impact of its powers in East Asia.At the same time, the Meiji Emperor of Japan sought to gain complete control over Korea.War became inevitable.
Background conflict
clear that the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905 (the reasons are connected with the Far East) did not start immediately.She had her own background.
Russian progress in Central Asia to the borders with Afghanistan and Persia, which affect the interests of the UK.Unable to expand in this direction, the empire shifted eastward.There was China, which is due to complete exhaustion in the Opium War and the Taiping Rebellion was forced to transfer part of the Russian territory.So she got control of the Primorye (the territory of modern Vladivostok), Kuril Islands, part of the island of Sakhalin.To connect distant borders was created Trans-Siberian Railway, which is the railway line liaised between Chelyabinsk and Vladivostok.In addition to the railway, Russia planned to trade on the Yellow Sea through the ice-free Port Arthur.
In Japan, at the same time his conversion occurred.Once in power, the Emperor Meiji to stop the policy of isolation and began modernization of the state.All his reforms were so successful that after a quarter-century after the beginning of the Empire was able to think seriously about the military expansion to other states.Its first objectives was China and Korea.Japan's victory over China allowed her to get right in 1895 to Korea, the island of Taiwan, and other lands.
looming conflict between two powerful empires for dominance in East Asia.The result was the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905.Causes of conflict, it is worth considering in more detail.
main causes of war
for both powers was crucial to show their martial achievements, so turned Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905.The causes of this conflict lie not only in the claims on the territory of China, but also in the political situation, which by that time have developed in both empires.A successful campaign in a war not only gives the winner the economic benefits, but also enhances its status on the world stage and silences enemies in its existing authorities.To count the two states in this conflict?What were the main causes of the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905?The table below summarizes the answers to these questions.
| Russia | State Meiji |
| Economic | |
| Claiming parties for dominance in Korea and Manchuria, in the Yellow Sea | |
| Internal political | |
| victory in the war was to strengthen the political position of the tsarist government and stop the revolution, which were involved not only simple workers and peasants, but also the advanced sections of the intelligentsia, and part of the nobility. | desire to test their forces advanced with the European enemy. |
It is because of the fact that both powers sought to resolve the armed conflict, all the diplomatic negotiations fail to produce results.
balance of forces on the ground
reasons Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905 were both economic and political.On the Eastern Front in Russia has sent 23th Artillery Brigade.With regard to the numerical advantage of armies, the leadership belonged to Russia.However, in the East, the army was limited to 150 thousand people.However, they were scattered over a vast territory.
- Vladivostok - 45,000 people.
- Manchuria - 28,000 people.
- Port Arthur - 22,000 people.
- Security CEL - 35000 people.
- artillery, engineer - to 8000 people.
biggest problem was the Russian army remoteness from the European part.Communication is carried out by telegraph, and delivery - line CEL.However, the rail could deliver a limited number of goods.In addition, the leadership did not have accurate maps, which negatively affected the course of the war.
Japan before the war had an army of 375 thousand people.They are well studied area had a fairly accurate map.The army has been upgraded by English experts and soldiers loyal to his emperor to death.
the balance of forces on the water
addition to land battles took place and on the water (the Yellow Sea).Supervised Japanese Navy Admiral Heyhatiro Togo.His task was to block the enemy's squadron near Port Arthur.In another sea (Japan) squadron of Japan opposed the Vladivostok group of cruisers.
Understanding the causes of the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905, Power Meiji prepared for battle on the water thoroughly.Key ships of its fleet United were produced in England, France, Germany and significantly superior to Russian vessel.
main events of the war
When in February 1904, Japanese forces began crossing into Korea, the Russian command did not attach any significance, although they were clear reasons for the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
briefly about the main event.
- 09.02.1904. historic battle cruiser "Varyag" against the Japanese fleet near Chemulpo.
- 27.02.1904. Japanese navy attacked a Russian military base in Port Arthur, without a declaration of war.The Japanese first used torpedoes and knocked out 90% of the Pacific Fleet.
- April 1904. clash of armies on the ground, which showed unwillingness of Russia to the war (mismatch form, the lack of military maps, inability to fence).Because of the presence of Russian officers at the white tunic, the Japanese soldiers are easily calculated and killed.
- May 1904. Taking the Japanese port of the future.
- August 1904. Russian successful defense of Port Arthur.
- January 1905. Delivery Port Arthur Stoessel.
- May 1905. Sea Battle at Tsushima destroyed the Russian fleet (Vladivostok back one ship), while none of the Japanese ship was injured.
- July 1905. invasion of Japanese troops on Sakhalin.
Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905., The reasons were of an economic nature means led to the depletion of both powers.Japan began to look for ways to resolve the conflict.She resorted to the help of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Battle of Chemulpo
hosted the famous battle off the coast of Korea 02/09/1904 (city Chemulpo).Two Russian ships commanded by Captain Vsevolod Rudnev.These were the cruiser "Varyag" and the boat "Korean".The squadron under the command of Japan Sotokiti Uriu consisted of two battleships, four cruisers, 8 destroyers.They blocked the Russian ships and forced to fight.
morning on a clear day "Varyag" with the "Korean" weighed anchor and attempted to get out of the bay.In honor of the departure from the port to their music began to play, but after only five minutes on the deck struck alarm.Rose battle flag.
Japanese did not expect such actions and calculated to destroy the Russian ships in the port.The squadron of the enemy in a hurry to raise anchor, battle flags and began to prepare for battle.The battle began with a shot of the "Asama".Then there was a fight with the use of armor-piercing and high-explosive shells from both sides.
The unequal power "Varyag" was heavily damaged, and Rudnev decided to turn back to the anchorage.There the Japanese could not continue shelling out the danger of damage to the ships of other countries.
Dropping anchor team of "Varyag" began to study the state of the ship.Rudnev, meanwhile, went for permission to destroy the cruiser and the translation of his team on neutral ships.Not all the officers supported the decision Rudnev, but two hours later the team was evacuated."Varyag" decided to sink the opening of its floodgates.The bodies of the dead sailors at the same time left the cruiser.
boat "Korean", it was decided to blow up, evacuating before this command.All items left on board, and secret documents burned.
sailors were taken by French, British and Italian ships.After carrying out all the necessary procedures were taken to Odessa and Sevastopol, where they disbanded the fleet.They are subject to agreement could not continue to participate in the Russian-Japanese conflict, so the Pacific Fleet are not allowed.
outcome of the war
peace treaty, Japan agreed to sign with the complete capitulation of Russia, which has already started a revolution.By Portsmunskomu Peace Treaty (08.23.1905) Russia had to fulfill the following points:
- renounced all claims to Manchuria.
- abandoned in favor of Japan on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin half.
- recognize Japan's right to Korea.
- Send Japan the right to lease Port Arthur.
- Japan To pay indemnity for the "maintenance of prisoners."
addition, the defeat in the war had negative consequences for Russia in economic terms.It stagnated in some industries because of reduced lending by foreign banks.Living in the country has risen significantly.Industrialists insisted on the speedy conclusion of peace.
Even those who initially supported Japan (UK and US), realized how hard the situation in Russia.War was necessary to stop, to direct all their forces to fight against the revolution, which feared an equally strong global state.
began mass movements of the workers and soldiers.A striking example is the uprising on the battleship "Potemkin".
causes and results of the Russian-Japanese War of 1904-1905 understood.It remains to find out what were the losses in human terms.Russia has lost 270 thousand, of which 50,000 were killed.Japan lost the same number of soldiers, but was killed more than 80 thousand.
Value judgments
Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905 years, the reasons were economic means and political character, showed serious problems within the Russian Empire.The same General Kuropatkin wrote.The war revealed the problems in the army, its weaponry, command and failures in diplomacy.
Japan was not fully satisfied with the outcome of negotiations.The state has lost too much in the fight against the European enemy.It is expected to receive more territory, but in the US it is not supported.Domestically was brewing discontent, and Japan will continue the path of militarization.
Interesting facts
Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905, the reasons were considered way, brought a lot of stratagems:
- use projectors;
- use of barbed wire under a stream of high voltage;
- field kitchen;
- wireless for the first time allowed to steer the ship at a distance;
- transition to fuel oil, which does not produce smoke and makes the ships less visible;
- appearance ships - mine-layers, which were made with the proliferation of mines;
- flamethrowers.
One of the heroic battles of the war with Japan is the battle cruiser "Varyag" when Chemulpo (1904).Together with the ship, "Korean" they opposed a whole squadron of the enemy.The battle was obviously lost, but sailors still made an attempt to break through.It was unsuccessful, and not to surrender, the crew led by Rudnev sank his ship.For courage and heroism they were awarded the praise of Nicholas II.The Japanese are so impressed the character and resilience Rudnev and his sailors that they in 1907 awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun.The captain of the sunken cruiser accepted the award, but had never been put on.
There is a theory according to which the Japanese Stoessel surrendered Port Arthur for a fee.As far as this version is correct, check is impossible.Whatever it was, because of its action campaign he was doomed to failure.During this general he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in a fortress, but was pardoned a year after confinement.He was deprived of all titles and awards, leaving the pension.
