Test on the topic " Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905"
1. The reason for the Russo-Japanese War was
a) the conflict of interests of the military-political blocs of the Entente and the Triple Alliance
b) clash of zones of influence of the Russian and Japanese empires in Korea and Manchuria
c) Japan's population growth and lack of resources
d) Russia's desire to establish control over Korea
2. The Russo-Japanese War was by nature
a) aggressive by Japan
b) aggressive from Russia
c) was predatory, unjust, imperialistic in nature on both sides
d) fair from Russia
3. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army on Far East during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
a) General A.V. Kaulbars
b) Rear Admiral Witgeft
c) Lieutenant General O.K. Grippenberg
d) General A.N. Kuropatkin
4. During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
a) destroyers were first used at sea
b) Russian troops occupied Mukden
c) a Russian protectorate was established over Korea
d) Russia and China signed a secret defensive alliance treaty
5. April 13, 1904 as a result of the explosion of the battleship "Petropavlovsk" on Japanese mines, the famous Russian battle painter died
a) V.V. Vereshchagin
b) I.K. Aivazovsky
c) M.I. Avilov
d) R.R. Franz
6. Mediated in peace negotiations
a) S.Yu. Witte
b) Emperor Nicholas II
c) Emperor Wilhelm II
d) US President T. Roosevelt
7. The total losses of Russia in the war amounted to about
a) 150 thousand people
b) 200 thousand people.
c) 250 thousand people.
d) 300 thousand people.
8. For the Russian Empire, defeat in this local conflict was
a) a pretext for intensifying the struggle against the revolutionary forces
b) the reason for the stabilization of the internal political situation
c) proof of the inefficiency of the entire state system
d) huge human and material losses, with unprecedented destruction and disasters
9. Match Date to Event
10. Match the term with its definition
definition | |
A) sphere of influence B) concession B) protectorate D) imperialism D) empire E) expansion G) intervention | 1) external military intervention in the internal affairs of an independent state 2) a powerful military power uniting different nations and territories into a single state 3) shape interstate relations, in which one country recognizes over itself the supreme sovereignty of another, primarily in international relations while maintaining autonomy internal affairs and own dynasty of rulers 4) monopoly capitalism, the highest and last stage of capitalism 5) expansion of spheres of influence, the conquest of markets by individual states, monopolies 6) territory outside the borders of the state, which is under its control due to occupation or unequal agreements 7) transfer by the state to foreign capital of the rights to operate certain natural resources for a certain period |
For each position of the first column, select the corresponding position of the second and write it down in the table with the selected numbers under the corresponding letters.
11. Position in chronological order time of events
A) the defeat of Russian troops near Liaoyang
B) the victory of Japan at the city of Mukden
B) Treaty of Portsmouth
D) the fall of Port Arthur
E) the death of the 1st Russian Pacific squadron when trying to break through to Vladivostok
12. What are the provisions that reflect the main conditions of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty between Russia and Japan
1) the preservation of Port Arthur for Russia
2) Russia's loss of the southern part of Sakhalin Island
3) the obligation of both sides to withdraw their troops from Manchuria
4) Russia had the right to leave its troops in Manchuria
5) the establishment of a Japanese protectorate over Korea
6) Korea was recognized as a sphere of Russian influence
Answer: _________________
13. What are the provisions reflecting the reasons for the defeat of Russia in the war with Japan
1) the lack of the possibility of a quick transfer of reserves to the Far East
2) surprise Japanese attack
3) the weakness of the Russian fleet
4) support for Japan from England and the USA
5) poor preparation of Russia for war
6) battles were fought exclusively at sea
7) mistakes and ill-conceived actions of the Russian command
8) the numerical superiority of the Japanese army
Answer: _________________
14. What are the provisions reflecting the consequences of the defeat of Russia in the war with Japan
1) strengthening Russia's positions in the Far East
2) the loss of the entire island of Sakhalin
3) weakening of Russia's positions in the Far East
4) preservation of Port Arthur for Russia
5) public dissatisfaction with the autocracy, shamefully losing the war with Japan
6) destabilization of the internal political situation in Russia - the growth of the revolutionary struggle
7) stabilization of the internal political situation in Russia
Answer: _________________
15. Read the text and enter the name statesman about which in question in the text.
“He headed the Russian delegation that signed the Portsmouth Peace Treaty of 1905 with Japan, for which he received the title of count. During the first Russian revolution, during the October strike of 1905, called on Emperor Nicholas II to compromise with the revolutionary forces, which was expressed in the Manifesto on October 17, 1905. From October 1905 to April 1906, he headed the Council of Ministers.
Answer: _________________
ANSWERS:
A1. The first war for Russia in the 20th century began with:
1. attacks by the Japanese squadron on Port Arthur
2. attacks by Russian warships on Japanese ships in the Korean Chemulpo
3. attacks by Japanese warships on the Russian squadron in the Tsushima Strait
4. Battle of Liaoyang
A2. In 1902, S.Yu. Witte made a trip to the Far East. From this trip he learned that:
1. Japan cannot be a serious military rival
2. Russia is not ready for war and its mission in the region should be economic expansion
3. peaceful accession of part of the territory of China to Russia is possible
4. "small victorious war" will lead Russia to great success
A3. On January 25, Nicholas II convened a special meeting on the affairs of the Far East. Most of the participants felt that it was necessary to:
1. start accelerated preparations for war with Japan
2. make diplomatic efforts to prevent war with Japan
3. avoid a possible war with Japan
4. annex Manchuria to Russia
A4. The battle does not correspond to the events of the Russo-Japanese War:
1. Tsushima 3. Mukden
2. near Plevna 4. on the Shakhe river
A5. During the Russo-Japanese War, generous military and economic assistance to Japan was provided by:
1. Germany and USA 3. England and France
2. USA and England 4. Austria-Hungary and Turkey
A6. Port Arthur was surrendered by Russian troops:
1. near Liaoyang 3. near Tsushima Island
2. in Port Arthur 4. near Mukden
A8. In May 1905, in the Tsushima Strait, Japanese warships defeated the squadron under the command of the admiral:
1. Z.P. Rozhdestvensky 3. S.O. Makarova
2. G.K.Stark 4. E.I.Alekseeva
A9. What event happened in August 1905:
1. Battle of Tsushima 3. conclusion of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty
2. Battle of Mukden 4. Surrender of Port Arthur
A10. The Peace of Portsmouth between Russia and Japan was signed through the mediation of:
1. Germany 3. England
2. USA 4. Italy
A11. At the negotiations in Porstmouth, S.Yu. Witte showed inflexibility and rejected the insistent demands of Japan:
1. for the payment of indemnity 3. for the joint operation of the CER
2. on the transfer of the entire Sakhalin 4. infringing on the interests of Russian capital in China
A12. The reason for the defeat of tsarist Russia in the Russo-Japanese War was (were):
1. the machinations of the allies who did not want the strengthening of Russia
2. military backwardness
3. economic backwardness
4. economic and military backwardness and a deep crisis of autocracy
A13. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. Russia's territorial losses were expressed in the transfer to Japan:
1. South Sakhalin 3. Sakhalin and the entire Kuril chain
2. Sakhalin with adjacent islands 4. Northern Sakhalin
One of the largest confrontations is the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The reasons for it will be discussed in the article. As a result of the conflict, armadillo guns, long-range artillery, and destroyers were used.
The essence of this war was which of the two warring empires would dominate the Far East. Emperor of Russia Nicholas II considered it his primary task to strengthen the influence of his state in East Asia. At the same time, Emperor Meiji of Japan sought to gain complete control over Korea. War became inevitable.
Background of the conflict
It is clear that the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 (the reasons are connected with the Far East) did not start instantly. She had her prerequisites.
Russia has advanced Central Asia to the border with Afghanistan and Persia, which affected the interests of Great Britain. Unable to expand in this direction, the empire switched to the East. There was China, which, due to complete exhaustion in opium wars and was forced to transfer part of the territory to Russia. So she received control of Primorye (the territory of modern Vladivostok), the Kuril Islands, and partly Sakhalin Island. To connect distant frontiers, the Trans-Siberian Railway was created, which, along the line railway provided communication between Chelyabinsk and Vladivostok. In addition to the railroad, Russia planned to trade on the ice-free Yellow Sea through Port Arthur.
In Japan, at the same time, their transformations were taking place. Having come to power, Emperor Meiji ended the policy of self-isolation and began to modernize the state. All his reforms were so successful that a quarter of a century after they began, the empire was able to seriously think about military expansion to other states. Its first targets were China and Korea. The victory of Japan over China allowed her to get in 1895 the rights to Korea, the island of Taiwan and other lands.
A conflict was brewing between two strong empires for dominance in East Asia. The result was the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The causes of the conflict should be considered in more detail.
The main causes of the war
It was extremely important for both powers to show their military achievements, so the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 unfolded. The reasons for this confrontation lie not only in the claims to the territory of China, but also in the internal political situations that had developed in both empires by that time. A successful campaign in war not only gives the winner economic benefit, but also raises its status on the world stage and silences the opponents of the existing power in it. What did both states count on in this conflict? What were the main causes of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905? The table below reveals the answers to these questions.
Precisely because both powers were striving for an armed solution to the conflict, all diplomatic negotiations did not bring results.
The balance of power on land
The causes of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 were both economic and political. The 23rd Artillery Brigade was sent to the Eastern Front from Russia. As for the numerical advantage of the armies, the leadership belonged to Russia. However, in the East, the army was limited to 150 thousand people. However, they were scattered over a wide area.
- Vladivostok - 45,000 people
- Manchuria - 28,000 people
- Port Arthur - 22,000 people
- Security of the Chinese Eastern Railway - 35,000 people.
- Artillery, engineering troops - up to 8000 people.
The biggest problem Russian army was remote from the European part. Communication was carried out by telegraph, and delivery was carried out by the CER line. However, a limited amount of cargo could be delivered by rail. In addition, the leadership did not have accurate maps of the area, which negatively affected the course of the war.
Japan before the war had an army of 375 thousand people. They studied the area well, had enough accurate maps. The army has been modernized by English specialists, and the soldiers are devoted to their emperor to death.
The balance of power on the water
In addition to land, battles also took place on the water. Admiral Heihachiro Togo led the Japanese fleet. His task was to block the enemy squadron near Port Arthur. In another sea (Japanese), the squadron of the Land of the Rising Sun counteracted the Vladivostok group of cruisers.
Understanding the causes of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the Meiji state thoroughly prepared for battles on the water. The most important ships of her United Fleet were produced in England, France, Germany and were significantly superior to Russian ships.
Major events of the war
When in February 1904 the Japanese forces began to cross into Korea, the Russian command did not attach any importance to this, although they understood the reasons for the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905.
Briefly about the main events.
- 09.02.1904. The historical battle of the cruiser "Varyag" against the Japanese squadron near Chemulpo.
- 27.02.1904. The Japanese fleet attacked the Russian Port Arthur without declaring war. The Japanese used torpedoes for the first time and disabled 90% of the Pacific Fleet.
- April 1904. The clash of armies on land, which showed Russia's unpreparedness for war (inconsistency in form, lack of military maps, inability to fence). Due to the fact that Russian officers had white tunics, Japanese soldiers easily figured out and killed them.
- May 1904. Capture of the port of Dalniy by the Japanese.
- August 1904. Successful Russian defense of Port Arthur.
- January 1905. Surrender of Port Arthur by Stessel.
- May 1905. sea battle near Tsushima, he destroyed the Russian squadron (one ship returned to Vladivostok), while not a single ship of Japan was injured.
- July 1905. Invasion Japanese troops to Sakhalin.
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the reasons for which were of an economic nature, led to the exhaustion of both powers. Japan began to look for ways to resolve the conflict. She resorted to the help of Great Britain and the United States.
Battle of Chemulpo
The famous battle took place on February 9, 1904 off the coast of Korea (the city of Chemulpo). Captain Vsevolod Rudnev commanded two Russian ships. These were the cruiser "Varyag" and the boat "Korean". The squadron of Japan under the command of Sotokichi Uriu consisted of 2 battleships, 4 cruisers, 8 destroyers. They blocked the Russian ships and forced them to join the battle.
In the morning, in clear weather, the Varyag and the Koreyets weighed anchor and tried to get out of the bay. In honor of the exit from the port, music began to play for them, but after only five minutes the alarm sounded on the deck. The battle flag went up.
The Japanese did not expect such actions and expected to destroy the Russian ships in the port. The enemy squadron in a hurry raised anchors, battle flags and began to prepare for battle. The battle began with a shot from the Asama. Then there was a battle with the use of armor-piercing and high-explosive shells from both sides.
In unequal forces, the Varyag was badly damaged, and Rudnev decided to turn back to the anchorage. There, the Japanese could not continue shelling because of the danger of damaging the ships of other states.
Having lowered the anchor, the Varyag team began to study the condition of the ship. Rudnev, meanwhile, went for permission to destroy the cruiser and transfer his team to neutral ships. Not all officers supported Rudnev's decision, but two hours later the team was evacuated. They decided to sink the Varyag by opening its floodgates. The bodies of the dead sailors were left on the cruiser.
It was decided to blow up the Korean boat, having evacuated the team before that. All things were left on the ship, and secret documents burned.
The sailors were received by French, English and Italian ships. After carrying out all the necessary procedures, they were delivered to Odessa and Sevastopol, from where they were disbanded by the fleet. By agreement, they could not continue to participate in the Russo-Japanese conflict, so they were not allowed into the Pacific Fleet.
The results of the war
Japan agreed to sign the peace treaty with the complete surrender of Russia, in which the revolution had already begun. According to the Portsmouth Peace Treaty (08/23/1905), Russia was obliged to fulfill the following points:
- Relinquish claims to Manchuria.
- Relinquish in favor of Japan Kuril Islands and half of Sakhalin Island.
- Recognize Japan's right to Korea.
- Transfer to Japan the right to lease Port Arthur.
- Pay Japan an indemnity for the "maintenance of prisoners."
In addition, the defeat in the war had for Russia Negative consequences in economic terms. Stagnation began in some industries, as their lending from foreign banks decreased. Living in the country has risen in price significantly. The industrialists insisted on the speedy conclusion of peace.
Even those countries that initially supported Japan (Great Britain and the United States) realized how difficult the situation in Russia was. The war had to be stopped in order to direct all forces to the fight against the revolution, which was equally feared by world states.
started mass movements among workers and military personnel. A prime example is the uprising on the battleship Potemkin.
The causes and results of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 are clear. It remains to find out what were the losses in human terms. Russia lost 270 thousand, of which 50 thousand were killed. Japan lost the same number of soldiers, but more than 80,000 were killed.
Value judgments
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the reasons for which were of an economic and political nature, showed serious problems within the Russian Empire. He also wrote about this. War revealed problems in the army, its weapons, command, as well as blunders in diplomacy.
Japan was not fully satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations. The state lost too much in the fight against the European enemy. She expected to get more territory However, the United States did not support her in this. Discontent began to brew inside the country, and Japan continued the path of militarization.
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the reasons for which were considered, brought many military tricks:
- use of spotlights;
- the use of wire fences under high voltage current;
- field kitchen;
- radiotelegraphy for the first time made it possible to control ships from a distance;
- switching to fuel oil, which produces no smoke and makes ships less visible;
- the appearance of ships - minelayers, which began to be produced with the spread of mine weapons;
- flamethrowers.
One of the heroic battles of the war with Japan is the battle of the Varyag cruiser at Chemulpo (1904). Together with the ship "Korean" they opposed the whole squadron of the enemy. The battle was obviously lost, but the sailors still made an attempt to break through. It turned out to be unsuccessful, and in order not to surrender, the crew led by Rudnev sank their ship. For courage and heroism, they were awarded the praise of Nicholas II. The Japanese were so impressed by the character and stamina of Rudnev and his sailors that in 1907 they awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun. The captain of the sunken cruiser accepted the award, but never wore it.
There is a version according to which Stessel surrendered Port Arthur to the Japanese for a fee. How true this version is, it is already impossible to verify. Be that as it may, because of his act, the campaign was doomed to failure. For this, the general was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in the fortress, but he was pardoned a year after imprisonment. He was deprived of all titles and awards, while leaving a pension.
1 option
A 1. Who was an active supporter of the conservative course in Russian politics in the early years of the reign of Nicholas 2?
1) V.K. Plehve
2) S.Yu. Witte
3) A.M. Bezobrazov
4) P.D. Svyatopolk-Mirsky
A 2. What did the Russian-Chinese treaty signed in Moscow in 1896 provide for?
1) non-interference in each other's internal affairs, respect for sovereignty
2) confirmation of the Aigun 1857 treaty
3) defensive alliance against Japan
4) a 25-year free lease agreement for the Liaodong Peninsula
A3. What was the main direction of Russian foreign policy at the beginning of the 20th century?
1) Russia's acquisition of access to the Black Sea
2) accession to Russia of Central Asia
3) Russia's accession to the Triple Alliance
4) prevention of new military conflicts in Europe
A 4. What is the cause of the Russo-Japanese War?
1) the capture by Japan of the Pescadores and Formosa
2) the struggle for spheres of influence in the Mediterranean
3) Japan's refusal to join the Entente
4) Russia's desire to strengthen its dominance in Asia
A5. When was the agreement on the lease of the Liaodong Peninsula from China signed by Russia?
A6. How did the Russo-Japanese War begin?
1) from the shelling of Tokyo and Yokohama by the Russian Pacific Fleet
2) from the Japanese attack on the Russian squadron in Port Arthur
3) from the action of enemy ground forces on the Liaodong Peninsula
4) from the Japanese landing in Korea
A 7. Who was the commander of the Manchurian army during the Russo-Japanese War?
1) A.N. Kuropatkin
2) R.I. Kondratenko
3) S.O. Makarov
4) A.M. stossel
IN 1. Place the following events in chronological order:
1) opening of the Hague Conference
2) the creation of the Triple Alliance
3) the end of the Russo-Japanese War
4) the signing of the Russian-English agreement on the delimitation of interests in Iran, Afghanistan, Tibet
IN 2. Name the major battles of the Russo-Japanese War
1) the battle of Liaoyang
2) the battle at Cape Gangut
3) the battle near the island of Tsushima
4) the battle of Sinop
AT 3. Match names and facts
Test " Foreign policy. Russo-Japanese War"
Option 2
A1. Which of the top officials at the beginning of the 20th century advocated the widespread development of the Far East?
1) A.P. Izvolsky
2)N.P. Durnovo
3) S.D. Sazonov
4) S.Yu. Witte
A2. What did the Russian-Chinese treaty signed in 1898 provide for?
1) China allowed Russia to build the CER through its territory
2) Russia and China signed an agreement on a defensive alliance
3) confirmation of the Beijing 1860 treaty
4) Free rental of Port Arthur
A3. What was the main direction of Russian foreign policy in the early 20th century?
1) getting access to the Baltic Sea
2) accession to Russia of the Crimean peninsula
3) expansion of the sphere of influence in the Far East
4) expansion of Russian possessions in North America
A 4. What is the cause of the Russo-Japanese War?
1) Japanese capture of the Liaodong Peninsula
2) International conference in 1899
3) Japan's refusal to join the Triple Alliance
4) strengthening the military presence of Russia in China
A5. During the war, an outstanding Russian artist died:
1) V.V. Vereshchagin
2) I.K. Aivazovsky
3) A.I. Kuindzhi
4) V.M. Vasnetsov
A6. Who commanded the defense of Port Arthur?
1) A.M. stossel
2) A.N. Kuropatkin
3) R.I. Kondratenko
4) S.O. Makarov
A 7. Indicate one of the provisions of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty:
1) Japan received half of Sakhalin Island
2) Russia retained Port Arthur
3) Japan was forbidden to fish in Russian territorial waters
4) the southern branch of the Chinese railway remained with Russia
IN 1. Arrange the events in chronological order:
1) the battle of Liaoyang
2) the fall of Port Arthur
3) the battle near the Shahe River
4) Tsushima battle
IN 2. Write down the missing term, which is given a definition:
The territory outside the borders of the state, which is under its control due to occupation or unequal agreements.
Q3. Match events and dates
Answers to the test “Foreign policy. Russo-Japanese War"
1 option
A 1 - 1; A 2 -3; A3-4; A 4-4; A5-3; A6-2; A7-1
B 1- 2 1 3 4; B 2-1 3; C3- A3 B 1 C2 D5 E6 E4
Option 2
A 1.-4; A2-4; A3-3; A4-4; A5-1; A6-3;A7-1
B2- sphere of influence
C3- A 6 B3 C5 D2 E4 E1
The main causes of the Russo-Japanese War were:
The clash of Russian and Japanese interests in the Far East;
An attempt to capture foreign markets for a developing domestic economy;
Russian imperial expansion to the East;
The desire to enrich the wealth of Korea and China, Russia and Japan.
The desire of the tsarist government to distract the people from revolutionary uprisings.
By nature, this war was aggressive on both sides.
At the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Almost simultaneously with the advanced capitalist countries, Russia entered the imperialist stage of development of capitalism. Rapid bourgeois development began, Russia embarked on the path of industrial and market modernization, and industrial production was growing sharply. More favorable conditions were created for the development of capitalist relations in industry and agriculture. Expansion of domestic trade and strengthening economic ties Russia with the world market contributes to the desire to capture foreign markets for the developing domestic economy. For Russia, one of the attractive markets in addition to the Balkans and the Middle East was the Far East.
Russian empire actively participates in the struggle for the final division of the world between the leading world powers. After its final decline, China was soon literally pulled to pieces by the largest capitalist powers, and the Russian Empire did not lag behind them, occupying Manchuria. The plans of the tsarist government included the creation of "Zeltorossiya" in Manchuria.
The increased interest shown by tsarist Russia in Korea is explained not only by the general predatory policy of the autocracy, but to some extent by the personal interests of the Romanovs, whom the adventurist circle of Bezobrazov became interested in the opportunity to seize the enormous “wealth” of Korea and turn them into the personal property of the reigning dynasty in Russia. The Japanese-Chinese war of 1894-1895 was used very advantageously by tsarism. Under the guise of helping exhausted China to pay indemnities, the tsarist government established the Russian-Chinese Bank, having negotiated for itself concessions for the construction of railways in Manchuria with the right to operate them for 80 years. In addition to purely banking, the Russian-Chinese Bank received a number of other functions, such as minting local coins, collecting taxes, etc.
Japan reacted very negatively to Russian penetration into the Chinese and Korean economies. The largest Japanese concerns considered the markets of China and Korea the exclusive zone of their own commercial interests. Being a country of strong statehood, a rapidly developing economy and territorially constrained on the islands, it began to show particular activity in the Far East, seeking to capture Korea and Manchuria as markets and sources of raw materials. In addition, in secret and far-reaching plans, Japan considered these territories as a springboard for further aggression against China and the Russian Far East.
The Japanese government finally came to the conclusion that in the implementation of its expansionist goals in China, Japan would inevitably have to face the opposition of Russia, and that it could receive help in this struggle against the Russian rival primarily from the United States and Great Britain. Over the next few years, the Japanese government accelerated the creation of a solid military-industrial base, focusing on the development of military production and the extraction of strategic raw materials, and began to implement big program deployment of land and naval forces, increase in as soon as possible their combat power.
The ruling elite of Japan was extremely dissatisfied with the results of the war won against China. Under pressure from Russia, Japan was forced to temporarily abandon the results of its victories. The implementation of Japan's aggressive plans in relation to Korea and China depended not so much on the degree of resistance of these countries, but on the intensity of opposition from competitors, and above all from Russia.
The diplomatic activity of Russia in relation to China led to the fact that an alliance treaty was concluded with China, according to which Russia received the right to build the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER), which further strengthened Russia's position in the area. In addition, Russia in 1898 leased from China for a period of 25 years the Kwantung Peninsula with Port Arthur, which becomes the main base of the Russian navy. Highlighted this suggestion
In St. Petersburg, fears were constantly growing regarding the growing military activity of Japan in the Far East. The tsarist government nevertheless hoped to neutralize the Japanese expansionist plans by rebuffing any attempts by Tokyo to deprive China and Korea of their independence. Top in Russian government took considerations in favor of an uncompromising struggle for national interest Russia in the adjacent Chinese territory.
So, at the beginning of the XX century. Russia faced a new aggressive power in the Far East - Japan, which was also fully supported by the United States and Great Britain, but was not ready to give an adequate response to Japan's rapidly growing military and political ambitions. A Japanese-Russian military clash was inevitable, since the dynamism with which Russia developed its Far Eastern lands was in clear dissonance with the ambitions of the business and political elite of Imperial Japan.
War Minister Kuropatkin warned the tsar that the war would be extremely unpopular. But Minister of the Interior Plehve voiced the idea of the majority of the nobility that Russia needed a small victorious war to distract the people from revolutionary uprisings. The fact is that many unresolved conflicts are long overdue in Russia. The most acute were the agrarian question, the position of the working class, the national question, the contradictions between the authorities and the emerging civil society. The unwillingness and inability of the autocracy to resolve these conflicts inevitably pushed Russia towards revolution. The authorities understood that the situation was close to critical and hoped to translate popular discontent into the mainstream of patriotism in a probable war.
