causes of the war
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The war between Russia and Japan was a fight for disputed territory. Its immediate cause was the failure of the two nations to agree on the relation which each should maintain toward Korea and Manchuria. The underlying cause of the struggle was the mighty clash that was bound to come when those measures which Japan believed were necessary to her self-existence met the glacier-like progress of Russia toward the Pacific. -- James H. Hare, ed., A Photographic Record of the Russo-Japanese War.
Opening of Japan
The hostilities began when Japan attacked the Russian fleet off Port Arthur, Manchuria, China, on February 8, 1904 but the reasons for the war were deeply rooted in history. For Japan, the issues leading to the conflict might well have begun in the seventeenth century. Fearing the influence of foreigners, especially Christians, the Shogunate rulers of Japan closed the country in 1639, permitting no foreigners to enter and no citizens to leave. This situation continued until 1853 when United States Commodore Matthew Perry with four warships steamed into the harbor of today's Tokyo to force the country to open its doors to the outside world. Perry's immediate concern was the rough treatment given sailors on stranded or disabled whaling vessels by the Japanese. The show of military strength, repeated the following year by Perry, established the United States as a powerful but commercial presence in the Far East. For decades American merchant ships had made profitable voyages to the Pacific and with the occupation of Hawaii, the purchase of Alaska, and acquisition of the Philippines, the United States was now poised to become a worldwide power. Japan remained wary of the European nations and had only to look at China to see what might happen in the future. Large in land mass and population, China was no match for the military forces of Europe, who dominated China with treaty ports and commercial spheres of influence and eventually occupied Beijing during the Boxer Rebellion. Japan was determined not to suffer the same fate. Within decades of Perry's visit, Japan transformed itself into a modern industrialized nation capable of resisting European colonial aspirations. Japan restored the emperor Meiji, rapidly developed a massive industrial capability, and built a well-equipped modern military force. |
Emperor Meiji. Harper's Weekly.
United States Commodore Matthew Perry. William Itoh collection.
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Russian Movement
At about the same time Perry came to Japan, Russia was completing its eastward expansion to the shores of the Pacific, establishing a port on the Amur River in 1850 and then occupying Sakhalin Island, just northwest of Japan. An important Russian goal was to have a Pacific warm water port as Vladivostok was ice-bound for three months of the year. The Tsar and expansionistic forces within Russia were also casting eyes on Korea and China's Manchuria province, causing legitimate concern by the Japanese. The occupation of Korea by Russia, Japan feared, would put it next in line for Russian conquest. Korea's strategic value lay in its position, just 120 miles across the Tsushima Strait from Japan. In 1875, Japan and Russia solved their immediate differences with a treaty that gave Russia possession of Sakhalin Island and Japan the Kuril Islands, which extend north of Hokkaido. |
Russia and Japan face each other across the Sea of Japan
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 The European nations, which established spheres of influence in China, sought to prevent Japan from doing the same. (c) MapQuest, used by permission.
Control of China
The immediate cause of the 1904 conflict originated in 1894 when Japan defeated China in a war over the control of Korea. Japan was to control the Liaotung peninsula in Manchuria and strategic Port Arthur while China recognized the independence of Korea, but under the "protectorate" of Japan. Russia, France and Germany, however, interfered in the peace negotiations with Japan. The European nations were carving up China for themselves, and they, especially Russia, "suggested" that Japan not take Port Arthur in the peace settlement. The so-called Triple Intervention was not forgotten by the Japanese, especially in 1896 when Russia concluded an alliance with China against Japan and, in the process, won rights to extend the Trans-Siberian Railroad across Chinese-held Manchuria to the Russian seaport of Vladivostok, thus gaining control of an important strip of Manchurian territory. Russia then obtained a 25-year lease on the Liaotung peninsula, essentially acquiring the same territory that Japan believed should have been theirs as result of the war with China.  Korea had no control over its independence as Russia and Japan struggled for territory. Harper's Weekly.
The Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 gave Russia the opportunity to solidify its position in Manchuria. Japan watched as Russia, France, Germany, and England established ports and spheres of influence in China. Japan, in no position to challenge Russia, then considered the strongest nation in Europe, saw Russia as a contender for control of Korea. |
"The Chinese Cake." A French postcard depicts Russia and Japan beginning to cut up Korea and Manchuria as Italy, France, the United States, and England watch. Roosevelt wanted an open door police in China. Portsmouth Athenaeum collection
The European nations, which established spheres of influence in China sought to prevent Japan from doing the same. C.B. Doleac collection.
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"After China, Korea." Japan has to watch as Russia begins cutting Korea in this French cartoon. C.B. Doleac Collection
The Japan-Britain Alliance of 1902
When Japan and Britain signed an alliance in 1902, Japan received the support it needed to challenge Russia on the mainland. The alliance recognized both nations' interests in China and pledged neutrality should either country, in supports of its interests in the Far East, become involved in a conflict with another power. However, either country would go to the aid of the other should a second nation become involved.
Attempts at Negotiation
With the British alliance behind it, Japan attempted without success to negotiate with the Russians over spheres of influence in Korea and China although there was support for settlement within the Russian government from such individuals, ironically, as Sergius Witte and Baron Rosen. While many Russians opposed expansion in Manchuria because its government was hard pressed to develop Siberia, the Tsar was determined to expand his empire as a divine responsibility. Further, the Tsar doubted the ability of the Japanese to defeat his large army and Asian navy.
There was similar conflict in the Japanese government between those who favored war and those who sought a peaceful settlement. For years, Japan tried to negotiate a settlement with Russia over Manchuria and Korea, but while attempting to reach a peaceful conclusion, the Japanese continued to prepare for war by building a large, well-trained army, and a powerful navy with modern ships.
When Japan and Britain signed an alliance in 1902, Japan received the support it needed to challenge Russia on the mainland. The alliance recognized both nations' interests in China and pledged neutrality should either country, in supports of its interests in the Far East, become involved in a conflict with another power. However, either country would go to the aid of the other should a second nation become involved.
Attempts at Negotiation
With the British alliance behind it, Japan attempted without success to negotiate with the Russians over spheres of influence in Korea and China although there was support for settlement within the Russian government from such individuals, ironically, as Sergius Witte and Baron Rosen. While many Russians opposed expansion in Manchuria because its government was hard pressed to develop Siberia, the Tsar was determined to expand his empire as a divine responsibility. Further, the Tsar doubted the ability of the Japanese to defeat his large army and Asian navy.
There was similar conflict in the Japanese government between those who favored war and those who sought a peaceful settlement. For years, Japan tried to negotiate a settlement with Russia over Manchuria and Korea, but while attempting to reach a peaceful conclusion, the Japanese continued to prepare for war by building a large, well-trained army, and a powerful navy with modern ships.
 Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia. Harper's Weekly.
Preparing for Battle
According to the terms of an earlier agreement with China, Russia was to withdraw its troops from Manchuria, but by April 1903, the date when the withdrawal was supposed to be in effect, the Russians were still in place and building up their army. By this point, the Japanese leadership and public opinion favored a military solution although talks with Russia continued throughout the rest of the year. When Japan was unable to receive concrete assurances from Russia regarding her intentions in Manchuria and Korea, Japan decided upon war. February 8, 1904: War Finally, on February 8, 1904, Japanese torpedo boats began the war with a surprise attack on Russian ships off Port Arthur. |
Before the war began, Russia controlled Manchuria and retained a lease on Port Arthur. Sakhalin Island was also Russian territory.
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