The Russo-Japanese War. Japans Coming of Age - Essay Example

The Russo-Japanese War Japan's Coming of Age Often cited as the second mechanized war, several facts are irrefutable. This war was fought by twopowers that had expansionist plans, the tactics to fight the war were new and the outcome of the war was not as either side desired or the world expected. Both powers, Russia and Japan, desired to increase their "sphere of influence" within the Asian continent, mainly at the expense of China. Japan had been forced to open its doors to Western influence by America in 1854 and the 250 year rule of the Shoguns was brought to a close by Emperor Mutsuhito (Meji - enlightened rule - 1868-1912.) Feudal systems were abolished and western attitudes on trade were introduced and embraced. Japan desired to become a global leader like the European nations of that time.1 Russia, on the other hand, believed they had the strongest military in the world. It was recognized by other European nations that Russia was an established world power, with all the rights and privileges that afforded. Tsar Nicholas II lacked the autocratic rule of his father (Alexander III) however; his wife, Princess Alexandra, the grand-daughter of Queen Victoria, was a royal as any European. She had a strong influence on Nicholas and had no desire to change the favorable autocratic royal system of governance. Nicholas was prone to feelings of passion; yet, he was remained a nationalist and favored royal rule. Appearing as a world power, Russia had internal turmoil that was secretly plotting the loss to Japan in Asia that was to follow. This war was a war that had "provided early experience of [a] new type of war. Two decisive tactics emerged almost immediately; the use of cover and concealmentand suppressive fire."2 Japan knew she could not win a prolonged war over vast areas; however, it was obvious to her commanders that concealment and surprise would greatly increase her chances of victory. Not knowing the extent of the internal turmoil in Russia, Japan planned her attacks precisely.3 The various battles of the war, while significant, are not the historically important events of the war. Japan used a tactic of concealment in, not only the art of war, but also the method of initiating the war itself. Starting the battle hours before the formal declaration of war was delivered; Japan developed a tactic that was to become her hall mark years later (the "sneak attack.")4 Technically not a violation, because of the ultimatum, Japan mastered this diplomatic concealment tactic along with the same concealment tactic on the battlefield. The Battle of Mukden, in Manchuria saw the first uses of suppressive fire to help a "pincer" flanking movement encircle an enemy. A highly successful military tactic that has been widely used in numerous battles from WWII, to Generals Gaip's surrounding of the French at Dien Binh Phu, Vietnam. Even modern day generals, like American General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, used this tactic in Desert Storm I - "Hail Mary."5 The significance of these tactics are important only became they directly influenced the eventual outcome of the war. Of course the butchery associated with the battles and the willingness of the Japanese soldier to sacrifice his life in battle, has also led to scars on the Japanese people that will long stand in the minds of historians. The actual outcome of the war was not as significant as the perception the world had on that outcome. The statistics (Imperial Russia, Strength 500,000, Casualties 25,331 Killed 146,032 Wounded; Empire of Japan, Strength 400,000, Casualties 47,387 Killed 173,425 Wounded6) are skewed by the summary affects the perception had on Russia and Japan. From a statistical point, all must conclude that Japan lost and Russia won this war. Japan had 87% more fatalities than Russia and 29% more total casualties. From a body count Japan should surely have been considered the looser; however, that count alone does not signify the outcome. Most major battles were won by the Japanese (even though they may have had a higher number of causalities.) Russian soldiers were forced to retreat constantly and the entire Russian fleet (considered the third best fleet in the world) was lost in three significant battles (Port Arthur, Battle of the Yellow Sea and Tsushima.) Japanese soldiers (as the world found out again in WWII) were more willing to continue until the end. Many Russians either surrendered or retreated (many times without orders - Rear Admiral Vitgeft) and simply gave up territory or attempted to limit the battlefield destruction by retreating (Mukden.) This is not to minimize the intense fighting by both combatants. The Russians did have numerous individuals who performed outstanding acts of heroism. One such young Lieutenant was Konstantin Ivanov, who took command of the Ryurik (after his superiors were killed in action) and refused to retreat until he had nothing left with which to continue the fight. Eventually he scuttled and sank the ship. Yes, the ultimate affect on the World was far more important than the actual outcome of the war. Europe, mainly dominated by royalty, saw a devastating impact on royalty as military leadership. The German Kaiser was the Tsar's cousin and not happy with the alliance Russia had with France, (he actually aided Japan); yet he had no desire to see this loss by a royally led nation to an Asia country. England held the home of the Tsarina's grandmother and France (not a monarchy) was a close ally to Russia; yet each remained neutral through the Dual Entente. Europe and the United States felt they had the only rights to expansionism and a world sphere of influence. The outcome of this war not only indicated a change but also forced change upon the sleeping giants. Furthermore; it gave Germany the information necessary for eventual war with Russia. The sides of World War I ("the family affair") were determined by this war. The loss of the Russian Fleet and territories was not received well in Russia. With the loss of Russian prestige in the war the esteem of the monarchy was also lost. The country's coffers were drained by the cost of the expensive Trans Siberian Railroad project ending with this costly war. "Russia's vastness and harsh climate created problems. Tsar Alexander III had ordered the building of a railway across Siberia.mostly completed by 1904"7 Civil unrest increased throughout Russia ("Bloody Sunday") and finally the Tsar was forced to relinquish some of his power and form the first (seemingly toothless) Duma. "The Tsarist government's foreign policysuddenly went from expansion to compromise and reconciliation."8 The effect was the eventual overthrow of the royal system in Russia and the formation of a new country. Japan on the other hand was seen as a victor. The nation was upset with many of the terms of the Treaty of Portsmouth but the world saw the Japanese as a growing power. More importantly the Asian countries noticed that another Asian country could defeat a large European nation. For Japan the territorial land grab was just starting. Each of Japan's subsequent action fortified her belief in Japanese superiority and Asian Influence Rights led by Japan. This belief would culminate with the creation of the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere and ultimately be challenged 36 years later. European powers now concluded treaties based upon Japan's resounding defeat of the Russians, with England signing The Renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, 1905. The treaty was amended so as to deter any Russian reprisal in East Asia for Japan and Central Asia (India) for Britain.9 Russia, learning from her massive mistakes, did score a series of diplomatic coups that effectively affirmed Japan's dominance in the region. Russia's diplomatic revolution can be identified as one of the main factors which led to the Triple Entente of 1907 between Russia, France, and England and subsequently to the Russo-Japanese Agreements in East Asia. This diplomatic revolution thus resulted in the establishment of stable borders in both the east and west, as well as to the formation of a peace system in both Europe and East Asia.8 Japan continued to strengthen her new found world prestige. Along with the numerous treaties Japan had signed, her military build up ensured protected boarders within her growing sphere of influence. China, Korea, Taiwan and other nations, may have disagreed with Japanese influence; but no nation was in a position to oppose her.10 Tacit and generous approval by the other colonial powers was gratefully accepted by Japan. Japan had truly come of age! Works Cited Answers.com. Russo-Japanese War. 17 March 2005. . Blond, Georges. Admiral Togo. (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1960). Duus, Peter. The Abacus and the Sword. University of California Press; Reprint edition (April 1998). International Journal of Korean History (Vol.7, Feb.2005). The Russian 'Diplomatic Revolution' and Japan's Annexation of Korea (1905-1910). 17 March 2005. . Jukes, Geoffrey. The Russo-Japanese War. 1904-1905. (Osprey Press, 2002). King, Graham. Strategy. 23 October 2005. . "Russo-Japanese War 1904-05". 17 March 2006. Read More