Key Figures
Who is Nicholas II?
What is the attack on Port Arthur?
This 1904 surprise attack marked the beginning of the war.
What is Korea?
Both Russia and Japan wanted influence over this Korean peninsula.
What is the Treaty of Portsmouth?
The treaty that ended the war.
What is "The First Great War of the 20th century?"
It is the Russo-Japanese war because of its short, decisive nature.
Who is Emperor Meiji?
The Japanese Emperor during the war.
What is the Battle of Mukden?
This battle, fought in February-March 1905, was one of the largest land battles ever at the time.
What is Port Arthur (Lushun)?
Russia wanted access to this warm-water port in Manchuria.
What is the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur?
Japan gained control over this peninsula and port.
What is wireless telegraphy (radio)?
This communication technology played a key role for the first time in naval warfare.
Who is Alexei Kuropath?
He was Russia's Minister of War who underestimated Japan's strength.
What is Battle of Tsushima?
The decisive naval battle in which Japan destroyed most of Russia's Baltic Fleet.
What is the Boxer Rebellion?
The conflict in China (1899-1901) increased tensions between European powers, Russia, and Japan.
What is Korea?
Russia lost influence in the country, which became a Japanese protectorate.
What is photojournalism/newspapers?
The war was covered extensively by this type of new mass media.
Who is Katsura Taro?
The Japanese Prime Minister who led Japan through the war.
What is Incheon (Chemulpo)?
The Korean port city was an early site conflict.
What is Manchuria?
Russia broke a promise to withdraw troops from the region, angering Japan.
The war's loss contributed to this Russian internal crisis in 1905.
Who is Leo Tolstoy?
This famous Russian author wrote about the suffering of soldiers of civilians during the war.
Who is Theodore Roosevelt?
This American President helped negotiate the Treaty of Portsmouth.
What is Manchuria?
Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway was incomplete during the war, slowing reinforcements.
What is the Meiji Restoration?
Japan's modernization and military build up during this era gave it confidence to challenge Russia.
What is an Asian power defeating a European great power?
Japan's victory shocked the world as it was the first time this had happened.
What is WW2?
The war is sometimes seen as a prelude to this larger global conflict.