Causes of the war
The famous cruiser "Varyag"
At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia was an influential power with a significant territory. Nicholas II wanted to turn the country into a world colonial power. Particularly attractive were the territories providing year-round maritime communication.
In 1897, Russia leased Port Arthur and the Liaodong Peninsula from China. These territories are used as a naval base and provide access to the Pacific Ocean. Starting the construction of the railway in Manchuria in 1898, Russia deployed troops on Chinese territory, under the pretext of ensuring the safety of its construction. In addition, Russia had views of the territory of Korea.
The territories of China and Korea were also desirable for Japan. In 1894-1895, Japan won the war with China and claimed a number of its territories, including the Liaodong Peninsula and Manchuria, Korea was also supposed to fall under its influence. As a result of the intervention of Russia and a number of European countries, these plans were not implemented.
In 1903, countries tried to peacefully resolve disputes and delimit their zones of influence. Japan offered Russia to take control of the territory of northeastern China, but completely abandon its claims to the territory of Korea. This did not suit Russia. The Russian government was sure that Japan would not dare to start a war. They underestimated the enemy.
In 1904, Japan launched a war against Russia by attacking ships in Port Arthur, officially announcing the start of the war on the same day.
Course of the war (chronology of major events)
We bring to your attention short table major events Russian- Japanese war 1904-1905 with dates, progress and results.
| Event | the date | Course and outcome of the event |
| The attack of the Japanese fleet on the Russian squadron | January 1904 | Japan suddenly attacked without declaring war. Her target was the Russian squadron. Japan planned to put out of action the strongest ships of the Russian squadron, for the unhindered entry of troops into the territory of Korea. The cruiser "Varyag" and the ship "Koreets" entered into an unequal battle in the port of Chemulpo near Seoul. Unable to get out of the encirclement, the teams decided to flood the ships. The cruiser "Pallada" took an unequal battle in Port Arthur. |
| Siege of Port Arthur | February-December 1904 | The fortress was strategically important object. General R.I. Kondratiev took over the organization of the defense of the fortress, it lasted so long thanks to him. In December, during the shelling, the general was killed. A few days later, General A.M. Stessel decided to surrender Port Arthur. Later, General Stessel was sentenced to death under public pressure, but he was pardoned by Nicholas II. |
| Battle of Mukden | February 1904 | In this battle, the Japanese army was commanded by General Oyama, the Russian army by General A. Kuropatkin. Losses were heavy on both sides. Japan won not quite confident, but a victory. Among the reasons that led to the defeat are the poor provision of the Russian army and weak staff work. During the battle, there was an opportunity to go on the offensive, but General Kuropatkin gave the order to retreat. Some historians believe that General Kuropatkin missed several opportunities to deliberately turn the tide of the war. He would be interested in the return of Witte, who held the post of prime minister and was removed from it by order of Nicholas II. For this, it was necessary to reduce the war to a draw, so that the parties sat down at the negotiating table. Witte was a good negotiator and Nicholas II brought him back by the end of the war. |
| Tsushima battle | May 1905 | This battle turned out to be devastating for Russia. The Russian fleet was destroyed, only the Aurora cruiser and two more ships survived, the rest for the most part were scuttled, some were boarded. |
The results and consequences of the war for Russia and Japan
Under the terms of the peace treaty, part of Sakhalin Island passed under the rule of Japan. Russia recognized Japan's right to dominate Korea. The rights to lease the territory of the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur passed to Japan.
Japan counted on monetary compensation and large area, the peace treaty in the country were dissatisfied. For Russia, the negotiations ended in success and represented an agreement of equal parties. However, the Russo-Japanese War became one of the causes of popular discontent.
1904-1905, the causes of which are known to every schoolchild, had a great influence on the development of Russia in the future. Although it is now very easy to “sort out” the prerequisites, causes and consequences, in 1904 it was difficult to assume such an outcome.
Start
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the causes of which will be discussed below, began in January. Enemy fleet without warning and obvious reasons attacked the ships of Russian sailors. This happened for no apparent reason, but the consequences were great: the powerful ships of the Russian squadron became unnecessary broken garbage. Of course, Russia could not ignore such an event, and on February 10 war was declared.
Causes of the war
Despite the unpleasant episode with the ships, which dealt a significant blow, the official and main reason the war was something else. It was all about the expansion of Russia to the east. This is the underlying cause of the outbreak of war, but it began under a different pretext. The reason for the fury is the annexation of the Liaodong Peninsula, which previously belonged to Japan.
Reaction
How did the Russian people react to such an unexpected outbreak of war? This clearly outraged them, because how could Japan dare such a challenge? But the reaction of other countries was different. The USA and England determined their position and took the side of Japan. The press reports, which were very numerous in all countries, clearly indicated a negative reaction to the actions of the Russians. France declared a neutral position, as it needed the support of Russia, but soon she concluded an agreement with England, which worsened relations with Russia. In turn, Germany also declared neutrality, but Russia's actions were approved in the press.
Developments
At the beginning of the war, the Japanese took a very active position. The course of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 could change dramatically from one extreme to another. The Japanese failed to conquer Port Arthur, but made many attempts. An army of 45 thousand soldiers was used for the assault. The army met strong resistance from Russian soldiers and lost almost half of its employees. It was not possible to hold the fortress. The reason for the defeat was the death of General Kondratenko in December 1904. If the general had not died, it would have been possible to keep the fortress for another 2 months. Despite this, Reis and Stessel signed the act, and the Russian fleet was destroyed. More than 30 thousand Russian soldiers were taken prisoner.
Only two battles of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 were really significant. The Mukden land battle took place in February 1905. It was rightfully considered the largest in history. It ended badly for both sides.
The second most important battle is Tsushima. It happened at the end of May 1905. Unfortunately, for the Russian army it was a defeat. The Japanese fleet was 6 times larger than the Russian one in terms of numbers. This could not but affect the course of the battle, so the Russian Baltic squadron was completely destroyed.
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the causes of which we analyzed above, was in favor of Japan. Despite this, the country had to pay dearly for its leadership, because its economy was exhausted to the point of impossibility. It was this that prompted Japan to be the first to propose the terms of a peace treaty. In August, peace negotiations began in the city of Portsmouth. The Russian delegation was headed by Witte. The conference was a great diplomatic breakthrough for the domestic side. Despite the fact that everything was moving towards peace, violent protests took place in Tokyo. The people did not want to make peace with the enemy. However, peace was still concluded. At the same time, Russia suffered significant losses during the war.
What is worth only the fact that the Pacific Fleet was completely destroyed, and thousands of people sacrificed their lives for the Motherland. And yet, Russian expansion in the East was stopped. Of course, the people could not but discuss this topic, because it was clearly clear that the tsarist policy no longer had such power and power. Perhaps this was what caused revolutionary sentiments to spread in the country, which eventually led to the well-known events of 1905-1907.
Defeat
We already know the results of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. And yet, why did Russia fail and fail to defend its policy? Researchers and historians believe that there are four reasons for this outcome. First, the Russian Empire was very isolated from the world stage in diplomatic terms. That is why a few supported her policy. If Russia had the support of the world, it would be easier to fight. Secondly, the Russian soldiers were not ready for war, especially in difficult conditions. The effect of surprise, which played into the hands of the Japanese, cannot be underestimated. The third reason is very banal and sad. It consists in multiple betrayals of the Motherland, betrayal, as well as in the complete mediocrity and helplessness of many generals.
The results of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 turned out to be losing also because Japan was much more developed in the economic and military spheres. This is what helped Japan gain a clear advantage. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the reasons for which we have examined, was a negative event for Russia, which exposed all weaknesses.
Chronology
- 1855 Russia concludes a treaty of peace and friendship with Japan.
- 1860 Signing of the Peking Treaty between Russia and China.
- 1877 - 1878 Russian-Turkish war.
- 1878 Treaty of San Stefano.
- 1878 Congress of Berlin.
- 1881 “Union of three emperors” (Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary)
- 1882 Russo-French alliance.
- 1864 - 1885 conquest Central Asia Russia.
- 1904 - 1905 Russo-Japanese War.
Russo-Japanese War (1904 - 1905)
AT late XIX in. Far East became a place of attraction for the interests of all the great powers. Japan claimed a leading role in Pacific region. Russia also counted on zones of influence.
Even earlier, the tsarist government forced China to transfer the Liaodong Peninsula with a fortress to Russia. Port Arthur. Russia won the right to build railways on Chinese territory. A railway was built in Northern Manchuria - the Chinese Eastern Railway ( CER), and Russian troops were brought in to protect it. Northern Manchuria subjected to military occupation by tsarist Russia.
In the course of implementing tasks in the east, Russia encountered not only Japan, but also Great Britain, France, and Germany. Nevertheless, Japan was the direct force that openly opposed Russia in the east.
Russo-Japanese negotiations in 1903 on the fate of Manchuria and Korea reached an impasse. The Russo-Japanese War has begun in January 1904., when Japan unexpectedly attacked the Russian fortress Port Arthur.
In February - April 1904, the Liaodong Peninsula and South Manchuria landed Japanese troops, which, after a series of successful operations, cut off Port Arthur from the main Russian forces.
Residents and the garrison of the city of Port Arthur heroically defended the fortress for 11 months. Japan lost here only killed and wounded over 110 thousand people, as well as big number warships. But in December 1904, the commander of the garrison of the fortress, General Stessel, ordered Port Arthur to be surrendered to the Japanese.
After the capitulation of Port Arthur in February 1905, the battle was lost under the command of General Kuropatkin under Mukden, and in May Tsushima Islands followed by the defeat by the Japanese of the second Russian Pacific squadron. These defeats meant that the war was finally lost. The tsarist government was forced September 5, 1905 in an American town Portsmouth conclude a shameful peace with the winner. Japan captured Korea and Manchuria, southern part Sakhalin, Port Arthur.
Russia's influence in the Far East as a result of the ϶ᴛᴏth war was undermined. By the way, this war served as a powerful catalyst for the growth of opposition sentiments in the country.
Attack of the Japanese destroyers of the Russian squadron.
On the night of February 8-9 (January 26-27), 1904, 10 Japanese destroyers suddenly attacked the Russian squadron on the outer roadstead of Port Arthur. The squadron battleships "Tsesarevich", "Retvizan" and the cruiser "Pallada" were heavily damaged by the explosions of Japanese torpedoes and, in order not to sink, ran aground. Japanese destroyers were damaged by artillery fire from the Russian squadron. IJN Akatsuki and IJN Shirakumo. Thus began the Russo-Japanese War.
On the same day, Japanese troops began landing in the area of the port of Chemulpo. When trying to leave the port and head to Port Arthur, the gunboat "Koreets" was attacked by Japanese destroyers, forcing her to return.
February 9 (January 27), 1904, there was a battle at Chemulpo. As a result of which, due to the impossibility of a breakthrough, the cruiser "Varyag" was flooded by their crews and the gunboat "Koreets" was blown up.
On the same day, February 9 (January 27), 1904, Admiral Jessen went to sea at the head of the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers to begin hostilities to disrupt the transport communications between Japan and Korea.
On February 11 (January 29), 1904, near Port Arthur, not far from the San Shan Tao Islands, the Russian cruiser Boyarin was blown up by a Japanese mine.
On February 24 (February 11), 1904, the Japanese fleet tried to close the exit from Port Arthur by sinking 5 ships loaded with stone. The attempt was unsuccessful.
On February 25 (February 12), 1904, two Russian destroyers "Fearless" and "Impressive" stumbled upon 4 Japanese cruisers when leaving for reconnaissance. The first managed to escape, and the second was driven into Golubaya Bay, where it was flooded by order of Captain M. Podushkin.
March 2 (February 18), 1904, by order of the Marine General Staff The Mediterranean squadron of Admiral A. Virenius (the battleship Oslyabya, the cruisers Aurora and Dmitry Donskoy and 7 destroyers), heading to Port Arthur, was recalled to the Baltic Sea.
On March 6 (February 22), 1904, the Japanese squadron shelled Vladivostok. The damage was insignificant. The fortress was transferred to a state of siege.
On March 8 (February 24), 1904, the new commander of the Russian Pacific Squadron, Vice Admiral S. Makarov, arrived in Port Arthur, replacing Admiral O. Stark in this post.
March 10 (February 26), 1904 in the Yellow Sea, when returning from reconnaissance to Port Arthur, was sunk by four Japanese destroyers ( IJN Usugumo , IJN Shinonome , IJN Akebono , IJN Sazanami) Russian destroyer "Guarding", and "Resolute" managed to return to the port.
Russian fleet in Port Arthur.
On March 27 (March 14), 1904, the second attempt by the Japanese to block the entrance to the harbor of Port Arthur was thwarted by flooding fireships.
April 4 (March 22), 1904 Japanese battleships IJN Fuji and IJN Yashima bombarded Port Arthur with fire from Pigeon Bay. In total, they fired 200 shots and main battery guns. But the effect was minimal.
On April 12 (March 30), 1904, the Russian destroyer Terrible was sunk by Japanese destroyers.
On April 13 (March 31), 1904, the battleship Petropavlovsk blew up on a mine and sank with almost the entire crew while going to sea. Among the dead was Admiral S. O. Makarov. Also on this day, the battleship Pobeda was damaged by a mine explosion and out of action for several weeks.
April 15 (April 2), 1904 Japanese cruisers IJN Kasuga and IJN Nisshin fired at the inner roadstead of Port Arthur with throwing fire.
On April 25 (April 12), 1904, the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers sank a Japanese steamer off the coast of Korea. IJN Goyo-Maru, coaster IJN Haginura Maru and Japanese military transport IJN Kinsu-Maru, after which he went to Vladivostok.
May 2 (April 19), 1904 by the Japanese, supported by gunboats IJN Akagi and IJN Chōkai, destroyers of the 9th, 14th and 16th destroyer flotillas, a third and final attempt was made to block the entrance to Port Arthur harbor, this time using 10 transports ( IJN Mikasha-Maru, IJN Sakura-Maru, IJN Totomi-Maru, IJN Otaru-Maru, IJN Sagami-Maru, IJN Aikoku-Maru, IJN Omi-Maru, IJN Asagao-Maru, IJN Iedo Maru, IJN Kokura-Maru, IJN Fuzan Maru) As a result, they managed to partially block the passage and temporarily make it impossible for large Russian ships to exit. This contributed to the unhindered landing of the 2nd Japanese Army in Manchuria.
On May 5 (April 22), 1904, the 2nd Japanese Army under the command of General Yasukata Oku, numbering about 38.5 thousand people, began landing on the Liaodong Peninsula, about 100 kilometers from Port Arthur.
On May 12 (April 29), 1904, four Japanese destroyers of the 2nd flotilla of Admiral I. Miyako began to sweep Russian mines in Kerr Bay. When performing the task, the destroyer No. 48 hit a mine and sank. On the same day, Japanese troops finally cut off Port Arthur from Manchuria. The siege of Port Arthur began.
Doom IJN Hatsuse on Russian mines.
On May 15 (May 2), 1904, two Japanese battleships blew up and sank on a minefield set up the day before by the Amur minelayer. IJN Yashima and IJN Hatsuse .
Also on this day, Japanese cruisers collided off Elliot Island. IJN Kasuga and IJN Yoshino, in which the second from the received damage sank. And off the southeast coast of Kanglu Island, an aviso ran aground IJN Tatsuta .
On May 16 (May 3), 1904, two Japanese gunboats collided during a landing operation southeast of the city of Yingkou. The boat sank as a result of the collision. IJN Oshima .
On May 17 (May 4), 1904, a Japanese destroyer blew up and sank on a mine. IJN Akatsuki .
On May 27 (May 14), 1904, not far from the city of Dalniy, he ran into stones and was blown up by his team, the Russian destroyer Attentive. On the same day, Japanese advice IJN Miyako hit a Russian mine and sank in Kerr Bay.
On June 12 (May 30), 1904, the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers entered the Korea Strait to disrupt Japan's sea lanes.
On June 15 (June 2), 1904, the cruiser Gromoboy sank two Japanese transports: IJN Izuma-Maru and IJN Hitachi Maru, and the cruiser "Rurik" sank Japanese transport with two torpedoes IJN Sado-Maru. In total, the three transports carried 2,445 Japanese officers and men, 320 horses, and 18 heavy 11-inch howitzers.
June 23 (June 10), 1904 Pacific squadron Rear Admiral V. Vitgoft made the first attempt to break through to Vladivostok. But when the Japanese fleet of Admiral H. Togo was discovered, she returned to Port Arthur without engaging in battle. On the night of the same day, Japanese destroyers launched an unsuccessful attack on the Russian squadron.
On June 28 (June 15), 1904, the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers under Admiral Jessen went to sea again to disrupt the enemy’s sea lanes.
On July 17 (July 4), 1904, the Russian destroyer No. 208 blew up and sank in a Japanese minefield near Skrypleva Island.
July 18 (July 5), 1904 was blown up by a mine of the Russian mine layer "Yenisei" in Talienvan Bay and the Japanese cruiser sank IJN Kaimon .
On July 20 (July 7), 1904, the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers entered the Pacific Ocean through the Sangar Strait.
On July 22 (July 9), 1904, a detachment was detained with a contraband cargo and sent to Vladivostok with a prize crew, an English steamer Arabia.
On July 23 (July 10), 1904, the Vladivostok detachment of cruisers approached the entrance to Tokyo Bay. Here an English steamer with smuggled cargo was inspected and sunk. night commander. Also on this day, several Japanese schooners and a German steamer were sunk. Tea who was smuggled to Japan. And the later captured English steamer Kalhas, after inspection, was sent to Vladivostok. The cruisers of the detachment also headed to their port.
On July 25 (July 12), 1904, a squadron of Japanese destroyers approached the mouth of the Liaohe River from the sea. The team of the Russian gunboat "Sivuch", due to the impossibility of a breakthrough, after landing on the shore, blew up their ship.
On August 7 (July 25), 1904, for the first time, Japanese troops bombarded Port Arthur and its harbors from land. As a result of the shelling, the battleship "Tsesarevich" was damaged, the commander of the squadron, Rear Admiral V. Vitgeft, was slightly wounded. The battleship Retvizan was also damaged.
On August 8 (July 26), 1904, a detachment of ships consisting of the Novik cruiser, the Beaver gunboat and 15 destroyers took part in the shelling of the advancing Japanese troops in Tahe Bay, causing heavy losses.
Battle in the Yellow Sea.
On August 10 (July 28), 1904, while trying to break through the Russian squadron from Port Arthur to Vladivostok, a battle took place in the Yellow Sea. During the battle, Rear Admiral V. Witgeft was killed, the Russian squadron, having lost control, disintegrated. 5 Russian battleships, the cruiser "Bayan" and 2 destroyers in disarray began to retreat to Port Arthur. Only the battleship "Tsesarevich", the cruisers "Novik", "Askold", "Diana" and 6 destroyers broke through the Japanese blockade. The battleship "Tsesarevich", the cruiser "Novik" and 3 destroyers headed for Qingdao, the cruiser "Askold" and the destroyer "Grozovoi" - for Shanghai, the cruiser "Diana" - for Saigon.
On August 11 (July 29), 1904, the Vladivostok detachment came out to meet the Russian squadron, which was supposed to break through from Port Arthur. The battleship "Tsesarevich", the cruiser "Novik", the destroyers "Silent", "Merciless" and "Fearless" arrived in Qingdao. The Novik cruiser, having loaded 250 tons of coal into the bunker, went to sea in order to break through to Vladivostok. On the same day, the Russian destroyer "Resolute" was interned in Chifu by the Chinese authorities. Also on August 11, the team sank the damaged destroyer Burny.
August 12 (July 30), 1904 in Chifu, two Japanese destroyers captured the previously interned destroyer Resolute.
On August 13 (July 31), 1904, the damaged Russian cruiser Askold was interned and disarmed in Shanghai.
On August 14 (August 1), 1904, four Japanese cruisers ( IJN Izumo , IJN Tokiwa , IJN Azuma and IJN Iwate) intercepted three Russian cruisers going to meet the First Pacific Squadron ("Russia", "Rurik" and "Gromoboy"). A battle took place between them, which went down in history under the name Battle in the Korea Strait. As a result of the battle, the Rurik was sunk, and the other two Russian cruisers returned to Vladivostok with damage.
On August 15 (August 2), 1904, the German authorities interned the Russian battleship Tsesarevich in Qingdao.
On August 16 (August 3), 1904, the damaged cruisers Gromoboi and Rossiya returned to Vladivostok. In Port Arthur, the proposal of the Japanese general M. Noga to surrender the fortress was rejected. On the same day in pacific ocean Russian cruiser "Novik" was stopped and inspected by an English steamer Celtic.
On August 20 (August 7), 1904, a battle took place off Sakhalin Island between the Russian cruiser Novik and Japanese IJN Tsushima and IJN Chitose. As a result of the battle "Novik" and IJN Tsushima received serious damage. Due to the impossibility of repair and the danger of the ship being captured by the enemy, the Novik commander M. Schultz decided to flood the ship.
On August 24 (August 11), 1904, the Russian cruiser Diana was interned by the French authorities in Saigon.
September 7 (August 25), 1904 from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok by railway the submarine "Trout" was sent.
On October 1 (September 18), 1904, a Japanese gunboat was blown up by a Russian mine and sank near Iron Island. IJN Heiyen.
On October 15 (October 2), 1904, the 2nd Pacific squadron of Admiral Z. Rozhestvensky left Libava for the Far East.
November 3 (October 21) was blown up by a mine exposed by the Russian destroyer "Skory" and sank in a Japanese destroyer near Cape Lun-Wan-Tan IJN Hayatori .
On November 5 (October 23), 1904, on the inner roadstead of Port Arthur, after being hit by a Japanese shell, the ammunition of the Russian battleship Poltava detonated. As a result, the ship sank.
On November 6 (October 24), 1904, a Japanese gunboat ran into a rock in the fog and sank near Port Arthur. IJN Atago .
On November 28 (November 15), 1904, the Dolphin submarine was sent by rail from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.
On December 6 (November 23), 1904, Japanese artillery, mounted on the day before captured height No. 206, began a massive shelling of Russian ships stationed in the inner roadstead of Port Arthur. By the end of the day, they sank the battleship "Retvisan" and the battleship "Peresvet" was heavily damaged. To keep intact, the battleship "Sevastopol", the gunboat "Courageous" and destroyers, were taken out from under Japanese fire to the outer roadstead.
On December 7 (November 24), 1904, due to the impossibility of repair after damage received from Japanese shelling, the crew of the battleship Peresvet was sunk by the crew in the western basin of Port Arthur harbor.
On December 8 (November 25), 1904, Russian ships, the battleship Pobeda and the cruiser Pallada, were sunk by Japanese artillery in the inner roadstead of Port Arthur.
On December 9 (November 26), 1904, Japanese heavy artillery sank the Bayan cruiser, the Amur mine layer and the Gilyak gunboat.
December 25 (December 12), 1904 IJN Takasago during a patrol, she hit a mine laid by the Russian destroyer Angry and sank in the Yellow Sea between Port Arthur and Chifu.
On December 26 (December 13), 1904, the gunboat "Beaver" was sunk by Japanese artillery fire on the Port Arthur roadstead.
Submarines of the Siberian Flotilla in Vladivostok.
On December 31 (December 18), 1904, the first four submarines of the Kasatka type arrived in Vladivostok from St. Petersburg by rail.
On January 1, 1905 (December 19, 1904) in Port Arthur, by order of the crew command, the battleships Poltava and Peresvet, half-flooded in the inner roadstead, were blown up, and the battleship Sevastopol was flooded in the outer roadstead.
On January 2, 1905 (December 20, 1904), the commander of the defense of Port Arthur, General A. Stessel, ordered the surrender of the fortress. The siege of Port Arthur is over.
On the same day, before the surrender of the fortress, the clippers Dzhigit and Robber were flooded. The 1st Pacific squadron was completely destroyed.
On January 5, 1905 (December 23, 1904), the Dolphin submarine arrived from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok by rail.
January 14 (January 1), 1905, by order of the commander of the port of Vladivostok from the Trout submarines,.
On March 20 (March 7), 1905, the 2nd Pacific squadron of Admiral Z. Rozhdestvensky passed the Strait of Malaka and entered the Pacific Ocean.
On March 26 (March 13), 1905, the Dolphin submarine left Vladivostok for a combat position on Askold Island.
On March 29 (March 16), 1905, the Dolphin submarine returned to Vladivostok from combat duty off Askold Island.
On April 11 (March 29), 1905, torpedoes were delivered to Russian submarines in Vladivostok.
On April 13 (March 31), 1905, the 2nd Pacific squadron of Admiral Z. Rozhdestvensky arrived in Kamran Bay in Indochina.
On April 22 (April 9), 1905, the Kasatka submarine set out from Vladivostok to the coast of Korea.
On May 7 (April 24), 1905, the cruisers Rossiya and Gromoboy left Vladivostok to disrupt the enemy's sea lanes.
On May 9 (April 26), 1905, the 1st detachment of the 3rd Pacific squadron of Rear Admiral N. Nebogatov and the 2nd Pacific squadron of Vice Admiral Z. Rozhestvensky joined in the Cam Ranh Bay.
On May 11 (April 28), 1905, the cruisers Rossiya and Gromoboy returned to Vladivostok. During the raid, they sank four Japanese transport ships.
On May 12 (April 29), 1905, three submarines were sent to the Transfiguration Bay to intercept the Japanese detachment - the Dolphin, the Kasatka and the Catfish. At 10 o'clock in the morning, not far from Vladivostok, at Cape Povorotny, the first battle took place with the participation of a submarine. "Catfish" attacked the Japanese destroyers, but the attack ended to no avail.
On May 14 (May 1), 1905, the Russian 2nd Pacific squadron of Admiral Z. Rozhdestvensky entered Vladivostok from Indochina.
May 18 (May 5), 1905 in Vladivostok near the quay wall from the explosion of gasoline vapors, the submarine "Dolphin" sank.
On May 29 (May 16), 1905, in the Sea of Japan near the island of Evenlet, the battleship Dmitry Donskoy was scuttled by its crew.
On May 30 (May 17), 1905, the Russian cruiser Izumrud landed on rocks near Cape Orekhov in St. Vladimir Bay and was blown up by her crew.
On June 3 (May 21), 1905, in the Philippines in Manila, American authorities interned the Russian cruiser Zhemchug.
On June 9 (May 27), 1905, the Russian cruiser Aurora was interned by the American authorities in the Philippines in Manila.
On June 29 (June 16), 1905, in Port Arthur, Japanese rescuers raised the Russian battleship Peresvet from the bottom.
On July 7 (June 24), 1905, Japanese troops launched the Sakhalin landing operation to land a force of 14 thousand people. While the Russian troops numbered only 7.2 thousand people on the island.
On July 8 (July 25), 1905, Japanese rescuers raised the sunken Russian battleship Poltava in Port Arthur.
On July 29 (July 16), 1905, the Japanese Sakhalin landing operation ended with the surrender of the Russian troops.
On August 14 (August 1), 1905, in the Tatar Strait, the Keta submarine carried out an unsuccessful attack on two Japanese destroyers.
On August 22 (August 9), 1905, negotiations between Japan and Russia began in Portsmouth through the mediation of the United States.
September 5 (August 23) in the United States in Portsmouth between the Japanese Empire and Russian Empire a peace treaty was signed. According to the treaty, Japan received the Liaodong Peninsula, part of the CER from Port Arthur to the city of Changchun and South Sakhalin, Russia recognized Japan's predominant interests in Korea and agreed to conclude a Russian-Japanese fishing convention. Russia and Japan pledged to withdraw their troops from Manchuria. Japan's demand for reparations was rejected.
Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905 had an important historical meaning, although many thought that it was absolutely meaningless.
But this war played a significant role in the formation of a new government.
Briefly about the causes of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
At the beginning of the last century, the interests of the Russian and Japanese powers clashed in securing China on the seas.
The main reason was external political activity states:
- Russia's desire to gain a foothold in the Far East region;
- the desire of Japan and Western states to prevent this;
- Japan's desire to take over Korea;
- the construction of military installations by the Russians on the leased Chinese territory.
Japan also tried to acquire superiority in the field of armed forces.
Map of military operations of the Russo-Japanese War
The map shows the main points and course of the war.
On the night of January 27, the Japanese attacked the Russian flotilla in Port Arthur without warning. Then followed the blocking of the port of Chemulpo in Korea by the rest of the Japanese ships. On the map, these actions are shown by blue arrows in the area of the Yellow Sea. On land, blue arrows show the movement of the Japanese army on land.
A year later, in February 1905, one of the main battles took place on land near Mukden (Shenyang). This is marked on the map.
In May 1905, the 2nd Russian flotilla lost the battle near Tsushima Island.
The red dotted lines indicate the breakthrough of the 2nd Russian squadron to Vladivostok.
The beginning of the Japanese war with Russia
The Russo-Japanese War was not a surprise. The conduct of policy on the territory of China assumed such a development of events. Near Port Arthur, Russian ships were on duty to prevent possible attacks.
At night, 8 Japanese destroyers smashed the Russian ships at Port Arthur. Already in the morning, another Japanese flotilla attacked Russian ships near the port of Chemulpo. After that, the landing of the Japanese on land began.
Chronological table of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
Events unfolded on land and sea. The main stages of the war:
| On the sea | On the land |
| Jan 26-27 (8-9 Feb.) 1904 - Japanese attack on Port Arthur. | Feb. – Apr. 1904 - landing of Japanese troops in China. |
| Jan 27 (Feb. 9) 1904 - attack by the Japanese squadron of 2 Russian ships and their destruction. | May 1904 - the Japanese cut off the fortress of Port Arthur from the Russian troops. |
| May 31 (April 13), 1904 - an attempt by Vice Admiral Makarov to leave the harbor of Port Arthur. The ship, on board of which the admiral was, fell on one of the mines placed by the Japanese. Makarov died with almost the entire crew. But the Vice Admiral remained a hero of the Russo-Japanese War. | Aug. 1904 - battle near the city of Liaoyang with General Kuropatkin at the head of the troops. It was unsuccessful for both sides. |
| May 14-15 (according to other sources May 27-28), 1905 - biggest battle near the island of Tsushima, in which the Japanese won. Almost all ships were destroyed. Only three broke through to Vladivostok. It was one of the decisive battles. | Sept. – Oct. 1904 - battles on the Shahe River. |
| Aug. – Dec. 1904 - the siege of Port Arthur. | |
| Dec 20 1904 (January 2, 1905) - surrender of the fortress. | |
| Jan. 1905 - the resumption of defense by Russian troops on the Shahe. | |
| Feb. 1905 - Japanese victory near the city of Mukden (Shenyang). |
The nature of the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905.
The war had an aggressive character. The opposition of the 2 empires was carried out for dominance in the Far East.
Japan's goal was to capture Korea, but Russia began to develop infrastructure in the leased territories. This thwarted Japan's aspirations and she took drastic action.
Reasons for the defeat of Russia
Why did Russia lose - because of the wrong steps of the Russian army, or did the Japanese initially have all the conditions for victory?
Russian delegation in Portsmouth
Reasons for the defeat of Russia:
- the unstable situation in the state and the interest of the government in the rapid conclusion of peace;
- a large reserve of troops from Japan;
- it took about 3 days to transfer the Japanese army, and Russia could do it in about a month;
- Japan had better weapons and ships than Russia.
Western countries supported Japan and assisted her. In 1904, England provided Japan with machine guns, which the latter had not previously had.
Outcomes, consequences and results
In 1905, a revolution began in the country. Anti-government sentiment demanded an end to the war with Japan, even on unfavorable terms.
All forces had to be thrown at settling the situation in the state.
Although Russia had enough resources and capabilities to win. If the war had lasted a few more months, Russia could have won, as the Japanese forces began to weaken. But Japan asked the United States to influence Russia and persuade her to negotiate.
- Both countries were withdrawing their armies from the region of Manchuria.
- Russia gave Port Arthur and part of the railway.
- Korea remained in the sphere of interests of the Japanese state.
- Part of Sakhalin now belonged to the Japanese state.
- Japan also gained access to fishing along the coast of Russia.
In both countries, the war had a negative impact on the financial situation. There was an increase in prices and taxes. In addition, the debt of the Japanese state has grown significantly.
Russia drew conclusions from the loss. At the end of the decade, the army and navy were reorganized.
Significance of the Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War acted as an impetus for the revolution. She opened up many problems of the current government. Many did not understand why this war was needed at all. As a result, anti-government sentiment only intensified.
