This chapter discusses the historical context, war aims, and events of the Russo-Japanese War, including the destruction of the Russian fleet by the Japanese at the Battle of Tsushima. It explores the impact of the war on both Japan and Russia, including political responses, changing national identities, and diplomatic efforts. The chapter also delves into the repercussions of Japan's victory on the balance of power in Europe and the military reform in Russia.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the conflict between Russia and Japan from February 1904 to September 1905, which gripped the world and had a profound impact on both countries. Wary of Russian domination of Korea, Japan attacked the Russian Fleet at Port Arthur and the ensuing war gave Russia a series of shocks, including the loss of their Baltic Fleet after a seven month voyage, which reverberated in the 1905 Revolution. Meanwhile Japan, victorious, advanced its goal of making Europe and America more wary in East Asia, combining rapid military modernisation and Samurai traditions when training its new peasant conscripts. The US-brokered peace failed to require Russia to make reparations, which became a cause of Japanese resentment towards the US.
With
Simon Dixon
The Sir Bernard Pares Professor of Russian History at University College London
Naoko Shimazu
Professor of Humanities at Yale NUS College, Singapore
And
Oleg Benesch
Reader in Modern History at the University of York
Producer: Simon Tillotson