The First Truly Modern War? - The Russo-Japanese War

In 1904, the world was shocked when Japan warred against Russia, and won.
How? Well… it’s complicated.

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Korea and Manchuria were at the centre of this pre-war tension, like pieces on a chessboard between Russia and Japan.

Russia, with its imperial eyes set on these regions, was more focused on expanding its reach in East Asia than considering the full implications.

They saw Manchuria as a resource-rich land ripe for the taking and Korea as a strategic gem.

On the other side, Japan, having emerged from its self-imposed isolation, was rapidly modernizing and looking to assert its own influence in East Asia.

This it was about status and power as well as land.

Japan's military, though smaller, was far more efficiently run, technologically advanced, and well-trained, thanks to recent modernization efforts.

The breakdown in diplomatic negotiations resulted in brinkmanship veering ever-closer to disaster… and eventually it did.

In 1904, the world was shocked when Japan warred against Russia, and won.
How? Well… it’s complicated.

_______

Korea and Manchuria were at the centre of this pre-war tension, like pieces on a chessboard between Russia and Japan.

Russia, with its imperial eyes set on these regions, was more focused on expanding its reach in East Asia than considering the full implications.

They saw Manchuria as a resource-rich land ripe for the taking and Korea as a strategic gem.

On the other side, Japan, having emerged from its self-imposed isolation, was rapidly modernizing and looking to assert its own influence in East Asia.

This it was about status and power as well as land.

Japan's military, though smaller, was far more efficiently run, technologically advanced, and well-trained, thanks to recent modernization efforts.

The breakdown in diplomatic negotiations resulted in brinkmanship veering ever-closer to disaster… and eventually it did.

In 1904, the world was shocked when Japan warred against Russia, and won.
How? Well… it’s complicated.

_______

Korea and Manchuria were at the centre of this pre-war tension, like pieces on a chessboard between Russia and Japan.

Russia, with its imperial eyes set on these regions, was more focused on expanding its reach in East Asia than considering the full implications.

They saw Manchuria as a resource-rich land ripe for the taking and Korea as a strategic gem.

On the other side, Japan, having emerged from its self-imposed isolation, was rapidly modernizing and looking to assert its own influence in East Asia.

This it was about status and power as well as land.

Japan's military, though smaller, was far more efficiently run, technologically advanced, and well-trained, thanks to recent modernization efforts.

The breakdown in diplomatic negotiations resulted in brinkmanship veering ever-closer to disaster… and eventually it did.