Rise of Japanese Nationalism WebQuest

Due: ___________________________________________

 Thoroughly answer the following questions and prompts. Please write out the questions, as
opposed to typing them.

Russo-Japanese War

Go to the following website:

http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/process/index.html

1. In what ways was this war unique (at least 2 ways)?

This war was unique in that the two opposing nations fought over the territory of neutral
countries. Russia and Japan fought only over the territories of China and Korea, not their own. The
Russo-Japanese War was also notable for being the first modern war to use modern weapons such as
machine guns, mine fields, and barbed wire fences.

2. What are some general outcomes of the war? When done, click on Causes

The general outcomes of the Russo-Japanese War include Japan becoming a significant world
power, the United States gaining diplomatic recognition, and the establishment of a peaceful balance of
power in the Pacific.

3. According to this website, what are the Japanese reasons for starting this conflict?

The Japanese reasons for starting this war date back to the 1600s. Fearing foreign influence,
Japan's shogun closed the country's borders in the mid-17th century (mainly Christian influence). They
imposed strict entry restrictions, prohibiting foreigners from entering and citizens from leaving. This
went on for two centuries until Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States forcibly entered one of
Japan's harbors in an attempt to force the country to open up to the rest of the world. As a result, Japan
became wary of European/Western nations.

4. According to this website, what actions did Russia take that led to this war? Why did it take
these actions? When done, click on Causes, part 2

Russia was expanding its territory eastward by invading Sakhalin Island, according to this
website. This island was only a few hundred kilometers northwest of Japan, and Russia's occupation
made Japan fearful of becoming the next target. Russia's invasion of Korea only heightened that fear,
leading to the Russo-Japanese War.

5. According to this website, how did the first Sino-Japanese war create conditions for this conflict?

Following the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan and China reached an agreement in which Japan
agreed to control the Liaodong Peninsula and Port Arthur, while China recognised Korea as an
independent country under Japan's "protectorate." Russia, along with a few other European countries,
stymied these talks. Russia has even stated that Japan should not be allowed to seize control of Port
Arthur. The end of the First Sino-Japanese War created a tense atmosphere, which Russia's interference
in

6. According to this website, how did the Boxer Rebellion create conditions leading to this conflict?
When done, click on Causes Part 3

As a result of the Boxer Rebellion, Russia emphasised its presence and control over Manchuria.
The Japanese, who feared Russian/European conquest, took note of this. The Boxer Rebellion
heightened this fear, and the Japanese saw Russia as a rival for control of Korea.

7. In the cartoon, why might the Japanese watching be concerned? (list 2 reasons at least)

The Japanese person watching Russia cut up Korea would be heavily concerned because they
are watching one of their neighbors getting conquered by Russia. The Japanese might be concerned that
they will fall under European rule next and suffer the same fate as Korea. Another reason why the
Japanese might be concerned is because they want control over Korea and Russian presence made
achieving this goal much harder.

8. Why did Japan sign an alliance with Britain? What did it then allow the Japanese to do?

To avoid being conquered by other European powers, Japan formed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
with Britain. They also agreed to sign it in order to avoid a war with Britain over Chinese territory. This
alliance enabled Japan to fight Russia on its own soil. It provided Japan with the opportunity to fight
Russia aggressively.

9. From the vantage of a Japanese diplomat, how would you justify preparing for this war? When
done, click on War.

Looking at the situation through the eyes of a Japanese diplomat, I could justify war
preparations by claiming that the Russians were not adhering to the terms of their own agreement.
Russia agreed to withdraw its army from Manchuria in the spring of 1903 as part of an old agreement
with China. However, when they failed to do so, Japan became concerned. They did not rush to war,
instead attempting to ascertain Russia's intentions in Manchuria. Japan declared war after not receiving
a proper response. In this case, preparing for war was justified because Russia not only broke its
promise, but also failed to provide any justification for doing so.

10. Read the document. Briefly describe its content.

The government document discusses the circumstances surrounding the Russo-Japanese War. It
discusses how the war was fought on neutral territory rather than the territory of the warring countries,
and how the reasons for the war made it extremely unique. According to the document, this was the
first of its kind and the first war in human history to be fought over neutral powers.

11. What is the Origin of this document? Who wrote it? Who is he/she?

Theodore de Martens, a Russian legal advisor who attended the Portsmouth Peace Conference
in 1905, wrote this document.

12. How might the origin of this document be valuable to a historian?

 The origin of this document has several values. For starters, this document was written by
someone who was present at the Portsmouth Peace Conference in 1905 to end the Russo-Japanese
War. This indicates that the author provided an accurate firsthand account of the situation. Another
advantage of the origin is that the document is a public record. This implies that it is most likely
accurate, factual, and trustworthy.

13. How might the Origin of this document be of limited use to a historian?

Because the document is a governmental record, the source is limited. Because this is a treaty
that simply lays out the current situation, it does not reveal any information about the warring nations'
motivations. The document's origin is also limited because it only reveals what the member states want
the public to know. It is possible that the governments tampered with the document or withheld
important information from the public.

14. What is the Purpose of this document? What is the intended audience? How might the purpose
be valuable to a historian?

The purpose of this document was to inform the public about the end of the Russo-Japanese
War, legitimise the end of the war, and establish peace between the warring nations. The audience
consisted of the general public and the representatives who attended the conference. This purpose may
be useful to a historian because it provides insight into the possible motives/intentions of the warring
states as well as important background information.

15. How might the Purpose of this document be of limited use to a historian?

Because the governments who participated in the peace conference were aware that the
document would be made public, the purpose of this document may be of limited use to a historian.
Given this, it is entirely possible that the document was manipulated to fit a specific narrative.

16. In what ways was Russia unprepared for this war?

Russia was completely unprepared for the Russo-Japanese War because it rejected all of Japan's
attempts to resolve tensions peacefully. Russia did not anticipate a Pacific war and completely ignored
the Japanese, believing that the situation would resolve itself over time. Because they feared a
European war, they stationed their strongest brigade in Europe. Because Russia did not expect a war in
East Asia, they sent less experienced and qualified soldiers to Manchuria. As a result, during the Russo-
Japanese War, they had a poorly trained army.

17. Short essay: Discuss the circumstances that allowed for Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese
war.

Several factors contributed to Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. These
factors gave the Japanese the upper hand in the war, allowing them to defeat Russia, a Western power.

For starters, Russia was unprepared for the Russo-Japanese War because its most powerful
squadrons were stationed in Europe rather than East Asia. As a result, they had poorly trained troops
who were not prepared for war, whereas Japan had a well-trained army that was preparing for war. The
element of surprise gave the Japanese an immediate advantage and increased their chances of victory.
 Japan's alliance with Britain was another factor that contributed to Japanese success in the
Russo-Japanese War. With Western support, Japan was able to put up a strong fight against Russia and
wage war on the mainland. It helped them to a resounding victory.

In conclusion, the Japanese were able to defeat Russia in the Russo-Japanese War due to a
variety of factors. Despite being much smaller and having a lower population, these circumstances
enabled them to win.