Difference between revisions of "Treaty of Portsmouth" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
 
(97 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:TreatyOfPortsmouth.jpeg|thumb|300px|The Russian and Japanese delegates around the negotiating table at the Portsmouth Navy Yard St]]
+
{{Ebcompleted}}{{Copyedited}}{{Images OK}}{{submitted}}{{approved}}{{2Copyedited}}
  
The '''Treaty of Portsmouth''' formally ended the 1904-1905 [[Russo-Japanese War]]. It was signed on September 5, 1905 at the [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] near [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], in the [[United States]], by [[Sergius Witte]] and [[Roman Rosen]] for [[Russia]], and by [[Komura Jutaro]] and [[Takahira Kogoro]] for [[Japan]]. [[Fyodor Martens]] and other [[diplomats]] from both nations stayed in [[New Castle, New Hampshire]], at the grand Hotel Wentworth by the Sea, and were ferried to [[negotiations]] held across the [[Piscataqua River]] on the base located in [[Kittery, Maine]].
+
[[Image:Manchuria.png|thumb|240px|Greater Manchuria: The Russian sector is the lighter red region to the upper right.]]
  
In accordance with the Treaty, both Japan and Russia agreed to evacuate [[Manchuria]] and return its sovereignty to [[China]], but Japan was leased the [[Liaodong Peninsula]] (containing [[Lüshunkou|Port Arthur]] and [[Talien]]) and the Russian rail system in southern Manchuria with access to strategic resources. Japan also received the southern half of the Island of [[Sakhalin]] from Russia. Although Japan gained a great deal from the Treaty, it was not nearly as much as the Japanese public had been led to expect, since Japan's initial negotiating position had demanded all of Sakhalin and a monetary indemnity as well. The frustration caused the [[Hibiya riots]] and the collapse of [[Katsura Taro]]'s cabinet on January 7, 1906.
+
The '''Treaty of Portsmouth''' formally ended the 1904-05 [[Russo-Japanese War]]. It was signed on September 5, 1905, at the [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]] near [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], in the [[United States]], by [[Sergius Witte]] and [[Roman Rosen]] for [[Russia]], and by [[Komura Jutaro]] and [[Takahira Kogoro]] for [[Japan]].
  
==Negotiations==
+
In accordance with the treaty, both Japan and Russia agreed to evacuate [[Manchuria]] and return its sovereignty to [[China]]. However, Japan was allowed to lease from China the [[Liaodong Peninsula]] (containing [[Lüshunkou|Port Arthur]] and [[Dalian]]), including the Russian rail system in southern Manchuria, with access to strategic resources. Japan also received the southern half of the island of [[Sakhalin]] from Russia.
[[Image:Peace Conference Building, Treaty of Portsmouth.jpg|thumb|left|Peace Conference Building, 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]]
+
 
The negotiations for the treaty were taken under the mediation of [[Theodore Roosevelt]] (for which he won the 1906 [[Nobel Peace Prize]]), both sides were seeking a peace — the Russians had been repeatedly defeated, but the Japanese were in considerable financial difficulties. Negotiations lasted through August. Prior to the beginning of the negotiations, the Japanese had signed the [[Taft-Katsura agreement]] with the US in July 1905, agreeing to Japanese control in Korea in return for American dominance in the [[Philippines]].
+
Although Japan gained a great deal from the treaty, it was not nearly as much as the Japanese public had been led to expect, since Japan's initial negotiating position had demanded all of Sakhalin and a monetary indemnity from Russia as well. The frustration caused the [[Hibiya riots]] and the collapse of Prime Minister [[Katsura Taro]]'s cabinet on January 7, 1906. Nevertheless, subsequent history would mark the treaty as a turning point in favor of Japan, whose fortunes would rise dramatically in the succeeding decade and beyond.
 +
{{toc}}
 +
The 1906 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] was awarded to [[Theodore Roosevelt]] for negotiating the peace between Russia and Japan. In hindsight, the award is not without irony, since the treaty is seen by many as encouraging Japan's imperial ambitions and militaristic policy, as well as demonstrating the developed world's insensitivity to the plight of smaller and weaker nations, especially [[Korea]].
 +
 
 +
==Background==
 +
 
 +
[[Image:Battlefields in the Russo Japanese War.jpg|thumb|250px|Battlefields of the Russo-Japanese War]]
  
Also, the Japanese agreed with Britain to extend the [[Anglo-Japanese treaty]] to cover all of Eastern Asia in return for Britain also agreeing to Japanese control over Korea. The treaty confirmed Japan's emergence as the pre-eminent power in East Asia and forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policies there, but it was not well received by the Japanese public.
+
Although Russia still had a larger army than Japan, successive defeats had shaken Russian confidence. Russia was also rocked by the [[Russian Revolution of 1905]], which posed a severe threat to the stability of the government. Russia elected to negotiate peace rather than continue the [[Russo-Japanese War]], so that it could concentrate on internal matters.
[[Image:PortsmouthTreatyReception.jpg|thumb|left|Peace Treaty Reception of Japan-Russia Envoys]][[Image:PortsmouthTreatyReceptionKey.jpg|thumb|left|Key to photo - Reception of Japan-Russia Envoys]]
 
In 2005, a summer-long series of events was held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to mark the 100th anniversary of the signing of this treaty, including a visit by a U.S. Navy destroyer, a parade and a re-enactment of the arrival of diplomats from the two warring nations. The treaty was signed at 3:47 p.m. on September 5, 1905, marked by an honor guard, the firing of a 19-gun salute and the ringing of area church bells.  Those sounds were duplicated on the same date in 2005, when the signing was re-enacted. [http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050903/NEWS1301/109020192], [http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/]
 
  
The Treaty of Portsmouth ending the Russo-Japanese War was signed at the Portsmouth Naval Base, New Hampshire, on Sept. 5, 1905.
+
Japan, meanwhile, was distraught financially and in terms of [[military]] strength. Both sides were thus seeking a peace, although the tide of the war had turned decidedly in Japan's favor.  
  
==Signficance of treaty==
+
Prior to the beginning of the negotiations, the Japanese had signed the [[Taft-Katsura Agreement]], a secret diplomatic memorandum signed between then-U.S. Secretary of War [[William Howard Taft]] and Prime Minister of Japan Katsura Taro on July 29, 1905. In it, the United States recognized Japan's sphere of influence in Korea in exchange for Japan recognizing the United States' sphere of influence in the [[Philippines]]. The agreement was not publicized until 1924, and was not a bilaterally signed document or secret treaty, but simply a meeting memorandum meant to smooth over Japanese-American relations.
The significance of the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War was enormous. It affected not only the two belligerent nations, but many other countries as well. In particular, the political situation in the Far East was changed.
 
  
Treaty of Portsmouth - after more than a year of fighting, both Russian and Japan were exhausted. Russia was shaken by the 1905 Revolution which gravely weakened her foundations of absolute monarchy. Japan was strained financially and in terms of trained military manpower. Thus President Theodore Roosevelt was asked (by Japan) to mediate for peace between them. On September 5, 1905, the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed. Russia agreed to recognize Japan’s “special interests” in Korea. She agreed to transfer to Japan the lease of the Liaodong Peninsula as well as economic rights in South Manchuria including the railroads. Finally, Russia ceded to Japan the southern half of Sakhalin together with special fishing rights.
+
==Negotiations==
 +
President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] offered to mediate between the two warring nations, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was designated as the site at which the terms would be decided. Negotiations lasted through August. On September 5, 1905, the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed, with Russia agreeing to recognize Japan’s “special interests” in [[Korea]]. Further, Russia agreed to grant Japan the lease of the [[Liaodong Peninsula]] along with economic rights in southern Manchuria, including its railroads. Finally, Russia gave Japan the southern half of [[Sakhalin]] together with special [[fishing]] rights.
  
The terms of the Treaty were extremely unpopular in Japan. Her people had been fed with success stories for eighteen months. To them, the victory had seemed so decisive that the peace terms seemed not to have given the victor all she had justly earned by her success. They resented particularly the absence of a large Russian indemnity. Led by extreme nationalist groups, there were riots in Tokyo against the Katsura government. Troops were brought in and martial law was imposed before order was restored.
+
==Aftermath==
 +
The significance of the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War was enormous, not only for the two warring nations, but many others as well. The treaty confirmed Japan's emergence as the preeminent power in East Asia and forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policies there, but it was not well-received by the Japanese public.
  
===Effects on Japan===
+
===Effects in Japan===
Internally, a wave of complacent pride filled Japanese minds though many were not satisfied with the peace terms. They were flattered by the whole world because such a rapid rise to international power had not been seen for centuries. The success of the Meiji modernization was beyond doubt. A direct consequence of Japan’s victory was the growing influence of the militarists. They had again brought victory and material gains to Japan. Apparently, many Japanese learnt the lesson that “war pays high dividends” and was an effective means to solve diplomatic impasse. Japan’s victory gave her control of South Manchuria. In economic terms, the region was useful as a market for Japanese products and as a source of raw materials required by Japanese industries. As such, Japan was able to further her industrialization, especially in heavy industries. Thus began the so-called second phase of Industrial Revolution in Meiji Japan.
+
However, after hearing the success stories about the war for 18 months, the Japanese public was extremely dissatisfied with the terms of the treaty. They felt the victory should be far more decisive than what the peace terms granted, both in terms of land and monetary concessions from Russia. When riots broke out in [[Tokyo]] against the Katsura government, led by extreme nationalist groups, troops were brought in and [[martial law]] was declared before order was restored.
  
Externally, the international status of Japan rose tremendously with her defeat of Russia. Ten years ago, by defeating China, she had become the leading Asian power. Now, by defeating Russia, a major western power, she became a world power. Moreover, Japan’s relation with other countries improved. At the first instance, negotiations for the restoration of tariff autonomy started, and by 1911 Japan was able to get rid of this last vestige of unequal treaties. Next, Japan’s victory was heralded all through the East and gave heart to the nationalist and reform movements in China, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Far Eastern peoples looked to Japan as a model and as a prophecy of independence from the yoke of European control. Japan had demonstrated by her victory that the “westerners were not invincible and could be defeated with her own weapons.” In one colony after another since 1905, there were the beginnings of organized independence movement. Finally, the war resulted in a second advance of Japan’s position in the Far East. This time Japan gained footholds on the mainland - Korea and South Manchuria. These were to become bridgeheads for further imperial advances in the coming years, especially during the First World War.
+
At the same time, although many Japanese were in disagreement with the peace terms, they were proud of the demonstrated international power that their nation had not experienced for centuries. Along with the proven success of the [[Meiji]] [[modernization]], Japan’s wartime victory was credited to the growing influence of the nation's militarists. Many Japanese learned the lesson that “war pays high dividends” and was an effective means to solve a diplomatic impasse. In the end, Japan’s victory had given her control of southern Manchuria, a region that was beneficial as a market for Japanese products and as a source of [[raw materials]] for Japanese industry. Japan could therefore further its industrialization, especially in heavy industries, thus starting the so-called second phase of industrial revolution in Meiji Japan.
  
Japan’s relation with the western powers was affected as well by the Russo-Japanese War.
+
Externally, with its defeat of Russia, Japan's international status reached a new high. Ten years previous, Japan became the leading Asian power by defeating [[China]]. Now it became a world power by defeating Russia, a major Western power. Furthermore, Japan's relations with other countries improved, starting with negotiations for the restoration of [[tariff]] autonomy.
  
===Relation with Britain===
+
East Asian nations now looked to Japan as a model of independence from European control. Through its victory, Japan demonstrated that Westerners were not invincible. From 1905, in one colony after another, an organized independence movement began. Then, with Japan gaining footholds on the mainland in Korea and Manchuria, the nation's second advance into the Far East began, which acted as bridgeheads for future imperial advances, particularly during the [[First World War]].
Japan’s victory over Russia delighted Britain. In August 1905, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was renewed, two years before its termination. Japan wanted renewal to prevent Russian revenge, and wanted British recognition of her special interests in Korea. Britain wanted in return Japan’s recognition of her interests in the Yangtze area, Southeast Asia, and India. Thus the scope of the renewed Alliance was extended to cover the Far East and Asia (India) in general. In 1911, the Alliance was renewed for another ten years. It was now turned against Germany and enabled Japan to enter World War One. As we shall see in Question 28, the Alliance became more and more an embarrassment to Britain for she stood in between the conflict between Japan and the United States in the late 1910s. Finally, the Alliance was replaced by the Four Power Treaty in 1922. Nonetheless, Anglo-Japanese relation continued to be friendly and Japan was regarded by Britain as an important ally in the Far East in the 1920s.
 
  
===Relation with Russia===
+
===Relations with Britain===
In the first place, Japan had blocked the Russian advance and had effectively displaced a first class western power in Korea and South Manchuria, leaving Russia only with a foothold in North Manchuria. With the removal of Russian threat in Korea, the way was open for a Russo-Japanese rapprochement. On the one hand, a Russian revenge was impossible because of the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. On the other hand, Russia turned her interest away from the Far East to focus on the Balkans. The two recent enemies soon made friends with each other. In 1907, a Russo-Japanese convention was signed which, by its secret clauses, divided Manchuria into a Russian and Japanese sphere of influence. This, in effect, was the “Exchange Policy” in another form, with South Manchuria, together with Korea, in Japan’s pocket.
+
Japan’s victory over Russia was acclaimed by the British, and in August 1905, the [[Anglo-Japanese Alliance]] was renewed, two years before its termination. For Japan, the renewal of this alliance helped stave off Russian retaliation and brought British approval of its dominance of Korea. In return, Japan would recognize British interests in the [[Yangtze]] area, Southeast Asia, and India. In 1911, the Alliance was renewed for another ten years, during which time Japan was able to enter [[World War I]] against Germany. Later, the Alliance was replaced by the [[Four Power Treaty]] in 1922. Nonetheless, Anglo-Japanese relations continued to be friendly, and Japan was regarded by Britain as an important ally in the Far East in the 1920s.
  
===Relation with the United States and France===
+
===Relations with Russia===
The spectacular rise of Japan as an imperial power in the Far East alarmed the United States. America was unhappy with the Japanese gains in South Manchuria which was a violation of the Open Door Policy. She also worried about the security of her Pacific possession — the Philippines. Consequently, in 1905 and 1908, two agreements were reached between Japan and the United States. Each promised to respect the other’s possessions in the Far East. Yet Japanese-American relation gradually worsened and mutual conflicts increased in the 1910s. In 1907, France and Japan agreed by treaty to respect each other’s situation on the Asian continent, especially with respect to their spheres of influence in China.
+
Japan had stopped the Russian advance and downgraded Russian power in Korea and South Manchuria, leaving her only with a foothold in northern Manchuria. Although the end of the Russian threat in Korea opened the door for a Russo-Japanese rapprochement, the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was a possible source of hostility. However, Russia turned its interest away from the Far East to a focus on the [[Balkans]], and the two recent enemies befriended each other. In 1907, a Russo-Japanese convention was signed which—in its secret clauses—divided Manchuria into Russian and Japanese spheres of influence.
  
===Relation with China===
+
===Relations with the U.S. and France===
The Russo-Japanese War was fought on Chinese soil, but China was helpless to do more than recognized Manchuria as a zone of neutrality. At the end of the war, China (the Qing Dynasty) - was not even consulted about the peace terms. The transfer from Russia to Japan of the Liaodong leasehold and the railway rights in South Manchuria was only reluctantly agreed upon by the Qing government.
+
The United States, however, became concerned over the rapid ascension in power of [[Imperial Japan]]. Unhappy with Japanese advances in Manchuria—a violation of the [[Open Door Policy]]—the U.S. also was alarmed about the security of its Pacific possession, the [[Philippines]]. Therefore, in 1905 and 1908, Japan and the United States reached two agreements promising to respect each other’s possessions in the Far East. However, worsening Japanese-American relations in the 1910s led to conflicts. In 1907, [[France]] and Japan signed a treaty to respect each other’s interests on the Asian [[continent]], particularly in relation to their spheres of influence in [[China]].
  
 
===Effects on China===
 
===Effects on China===
That the Qing government had to accept this humiliation was a reflection of her decadence. This directly stimulated the Chinese revolutionary movement. In 1905, the Tung Meng-hui was founded under the leadership of Sun Yat.sen to overthrow the Manchus.
+
Even though the Russo-Japanese War was fought on Chinese territory, China was powerless to to do more than recognize Manchuria as a neutral zone. At the war's end, China's [[Qing Dynasty]] was not even consulted about the peace terms, while Russia's transfer to Japan of the [[Liaodong]] leasehold and the [[railway]] rights in southern Manchuria were only reluctantly agreed upon by the Qing government.
At the same time, in an eleventh hour attempt to save herself, the Qing government speeded up her reforms. Since the success of Japan’s modernization was beyond doubt, it was natural that reformers in China strongly advocated the following of Japan’s example in reform practice. In 1905, the Manchus abolished the century-old civil service examination and promised the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. 1905 was perhaps a turning point in Chinese history.
+
 
 +
1905 proved a turning point in Chinese [[history]]. The humiliation suffered by China from the war directly stimulated the Chinese revolutionary movement. While the [[Tung Meng-hui]] was founded by [[Sun Yat-sen]] to overthrow the [[Manchus]], the Qing government, in an effort to save itself, sped up reforms. Meanwhile, Chinese reformers strongly promoted emulation of both Japan's reform practices and modernization policies. In this spirit, in 1905 the Manchus abolished the century-old civil-service examination and held out the promise of a constitutional [[monarchy]].
  
 
===Effects on Korea===
 
===Effects on Korea===
Quite obviously, Japan fought the Russo-Japanese War mainly to protect her interests in Korea. Now with Russia defeated and Britain allied, Japan tightened her grip on Korea. In November 1905, Japan forced the Korean king to accept a Japanese Resident-General who would have control over Korean foreign affairs. In 1907, Japanese advisers had control over Korean legislative and executive affairs, thus reducing Korea into a virtual colony of Japan. In 1909, Ito was assassinated by a Korean and this gave the Tokyo government a pretext for annexation which took place in August 1910. There followed 35 years of Japanese rule in Korea.
+
Japan fought the Russo-Japanese War chiefly to protect its interests in Korea. However, with Russia defeated, the U.S. promising non-interference in Korea, and Britain as an ally, Japan could tighten its control over Korea. In November 1905, Japan compelled the Korean [[king]] to accept a Japanese resident-general, who would have control over Korea's foreign affairs. In 1907, Japanese advisers exercised control over Korean legislative and executive affairs, thus diminishing Korea to a virtual Japanese [[colony]]. In 1909, Japan's former prime minister and former resident-general of Korea Prince [[Itō Hirobumi]] was assassinated by a Korean nationalist, giving the [[Tokyo]] [[government]] an excuse to annex Korea, which took place in August 1910. Thus, Japan would rule Korea directly for 35 years. Eventually the Korean [[language]] and [[culture]] were disallowed and many Korean people experienced virtual slavery under the Japanese rule.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 +
*Axelrod, Alan. ''Political History of America's Wars''. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1568029566.
 +
*Ericson, Steven J., and Hockley, Allen. ''The Treaty of Portsmouth and Its Legacies''. Hanover, N.H.: University Press of New Engalnd, 2008. ISBN 978-1584657224.
 +
*Randell, Peter. ''The are No Victors Here: A Local Perspective on the Treaty of Portmouth''. Portsmouth, N.H.: P.E. Randall Society, 1985. ISBN 978-0915819072.
  
==External links==
 
Retrieved November 10, 2007.
 
*[http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1914m/portsmouth.html The Treaty of Portsmouth, 1905, Russo-Japanese War] ''www.lib.byu.edu''.
 
*[http://www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com/ Actual wording of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty] ''www.portsmouthpeacetreaty.com''.
 
  
{{openhistory}}
 
  
 
{{credit|113263459}}
 
{{credit|113263459}}
 
[[Category:History]]
 
[[Category:History]]
 +
[[category:History of Korea]]
 +
[[Category:History of Asia]]

Latest revision as of 04:51, 5 November 2022


Greater Manchuria: The Russian sector is the lighter red region to the upper right.

The Treaty of Portsmouth formally ended the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War. It was signed on September 5, 1905, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the United States, by Sergius Witte and Roman Rosen for Russia, and by Komura Jutaro and Takahira Kogoro for Japan.

In accordance with the treaty, both Japan and Russia agreed to evacuate Manchuria and return its sovereignty to China. However, Japan was allowed to lease from China the Liaodong Peninsula (containing Port Arthur and Dalian), including the Russian rail system in southern Manchuria, with access to strategic resources. Japan also received the southern half of the island of Sakhalin from Russia.

Although Japan gained a great deal from the treaty, it was not nearly as much as the Japanese public had been led to expect, since Japan's initial negotiating position had demanded all of Sakhalin and a monetary indemnity from Russia as well. The frustration caused the Hibiya riots and the collapse of Prime Minister Katsura Taro's cabinet on January 7, 1906. Nevertheless, subsequent history would mark the treaty as a turning point in favor of Japan, whose fortunes would rise dramatically in the succeeding decade and beyond.

The 1906 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Theodore Roosevelt for negotiating the peace between Russia and Japan. In hindsight, the award is not without irony, since the treaty is seen by many as encouraging Japan's imperial ambitions and militaristic policy, as well as demonstrating the developed world's insensitivity to the plight of smaller and weaker nations, especially Korea.

Background

Battlefields of the Russo-Japanese War

Although Russia still had a larger army than Japan, successive defeats had shaken Russian confidence. Russia was also rocked by the Russian Revolution of 1905, which posed a severe threat to the stability of the government. Russia elected to negotiate peace rather than continue the Russo-Japanese War, so that it could concentrate on internal matters.

Japan, meanwhile, was distraught financially and in terms of military strength. Both sides were thus seeking a peace, although the tide of the war had turned decidedly in Japan's favor.

Prior to the beginning of the negotiations, the Japanese had signed the Taft-Katsura Agreement, a secret diplomatic memorandum signed between then-U.S. Secretary of War William Howard Taft and Prime Minister of Japan Katsura Taro on July 29, 1905. In it, the United States recognized Japan's sphere of influence in Korea in exchange for Japan recognizing the United States' sphere of influence in the Philippines. The agreement was not publicized until 1924, and was not a bilaterally signed document or secret treaty, but simply a meeting memorandum meant to smooth over Japanese-American relations.

Negotiations

President Theodore Roosevelt offered to mediate between the two warring nations, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was designated as the site at which the terms would be decided. Negotiations lasted through August. On September 5, 1905, the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed, with Russia agreeing to recognize Japan’s “special interests” in Korea. Further, Russia agreed to grant Japan the lease of the Liaodong Peninsula along with economic rights in southern Manchuria, including its railroads. Finally, Russia gave Japan the southern half of Sakhalin together with special fishing rights.

Aftermath

The significance of the treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War was enormous, not only for the two warring nations, but many others as well. The treaty confirmed Japan's emergence as the preeminent power in East Asia and forced Russia to abandon its expansionist policies there, but it was not well-received by the Japanese public.

Effects in Japan

However, after hearing the success stories about the war for 18 months, the Japanese public was extremely dissatisfied with the terms of the treaty. They felt the victory should be far more decisive than what the peace terms granted, both in terms of land and monetary concessions from Russia. When riots broke out in Tokyo against the Katsura government, led by extreme nationalist groups, troops were brought in and martial law was declared before order was restored.

At the same time, although many Japanese were in disagreement with the peace terms, they were proud of the demonstrated international power that their nation had not experienced for centuries. Along with the proven success of the Meiji modernization, Japan’s wartime victory was credited to the growing influence of the nation's militarists. Many Japanese learned the lesson that “war pays high dividends” and was an effective means to solve a diplomatic impasse. In the end, Japan’s victory had given her control of southern Manchuria, a region that was beneficial as a market for Japanese products and as a source of raw materials for Japanese industry. Japan could therefore further its industrialization, especially in heavy industries, thus starting the so-called second phase of industrial revolution in Meiji Japan.

Externally, with its defeat of Russia, Japan's international status reached a new high. Ten years previous, Japan became the leading Asian power by defeating China. Now it became a world power by defeating Russia, a major Western power. Furthermore, Japan's relations with other countries improved, starting with negotiations for the restoration of tariff autonomy.

East Asian nations now looked to Japan as a model of independence from European control. Through its victory, Japan demonstrated that Westerners were not invincible. From 1905, in one colony after another, an organized independence movement began. Then, with Japan gaining footholds on the mainland in Korea and Manchuria, the nation's second advance into the Far East began, which acted as bridgeheads for future imperial advances, particularly during the First World War.

Relations with Britain

Japan’s victory over Russia was acclaimed by the British, and in August 1905, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was renewed, two years before its termination. For Japan, the renewal of this alliance helped stave off Russian retaliation and brought British approval of its dominance of Korea. In return, Japan would recognize British interests in the Yangtze area, Southeast Asia, and India. In 1911, the Alliance was renewed for another ten years, during which time Japan was able to enter World War I against Germany. Later, the Alliance was replaced by the Four Power Treaty in 1922. Nonetheless, Anglo-Japanese relations continued to be friendly, and Japan was regarded by Britain as an important ally in the Far East in the 1920s.

Relations with Russia

Japan had stopped the Russian advance and downgraded Russian power in Korea and South Manchuria, leaving her only with a foothold in northern Manchuria. Although the end of the Russian threat in Korea opened the door for a Russo-Japanese rapprochement, the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was a possible source of hostility. However, Russia turned its interest away from the Far East to a focus on the Balkans, and the two recent enemies befriended each other. In 1907, a Russo-Japanese convention was signed which—in its secret clauses—divided Manchuria into Russian and Japanese spheres of influence.

Relations with the U.S. and France

The United States, however, became concerned over the rapid ascension in power of Imperial Japan. Unhappy with Japanese advances in Manchuria—a violation of the Open Door Policy—the U.S. also was alarmed about the security of its Pacific possession, the Philippines. Therefore, in 1905 and 1908, Japan and the United States reached two agreements promising to respect each other’s possessions in the Far East. However, worsening Japanese-American relations in the 1910s led to conflicts. In 1907, France and Japan signed a treaty to respect each other’s interests on the Asian continent, particularly in relation to their spheres of influence in China.

Effects on China

Even though the Russo-Japanese War was fought on Chinese territory, China was powerless to to do more than recognize Manchuria as a neutral zone. At the war's end, China's Qing Dynasty was not even consulted about the peace terms, while Russia's transfer to Japan of the Liaodong leasehold and the railway rights in southern Manchuria were only reluctantly agreed upon by the Qing government.

1905 proved a turning point in Chinese history. The humiliation suffered by China from the war directly stimulated the Chinese revolutionary movement. While the Tung Meng-hui was founded by Sun Yat-sen to overthrow the Manchus, the Qing government, in an effort to save itself, sped up reforms. Meanwhile, Chinese reformers strongly promoted emulation of both Japan's reform practices and modernization policies. In this spirit, in 1905 the Manchus abolished the century-old civil-service examination and held out the promise of a constitutional monarchy.

Effects on Korea

Japan fought the Russo-Japanese War chiefly to protect its interests in Korea. However, with Russia defeated, the U.S. promising non-interference in Korea, and Britain as an ally, Japan could tighten its control over Korea. In November 1905, Japan compelled the Korean king to accept a Japanese resident-general, who would have control over Korea's foreign affairs. In 1907, Japanese advisers exercised control over Korean legislative and executive affairs, thus diminishing Korea to a virtual Japanese colony. In 1909, Japan's former prime minister and former resident-general of Korea Prince Itō Hirobumi was assassinated by a Korean nationalist, giving the Tokyo government an excuse to annex Korea, which took place in August 1910. Thus, Japan would rule Korea directly for 35 years. Eventually the Korean language and culture were disallowed and many Korean people experienced virtual slavery under the Japanese rule.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Axelrod, Alan. Political History of America's Wars. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1568029566.
  • Ericson, Steven J., and Hockley, Allen. The Treaty of Portsmouth and Its Legacies. Hanover, N.H.: University Press of New Engalnd, 2008. ISBN 978-1584657224.
  • Randell, Peter. The are No Victors Here: A Local Perspective on the Treaty of Portmouth. Portsmouth, N.H.: P.E. Randall Society, 1985. ISBN 978-0915819072.


Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.