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History Ia (Ib) on Russo-Japanese War and Its Effect on the 1905 Revolution

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History Ia (Ib) on Russo-Japanese War and Its Effect on the 1905 Revolution
Topic: Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905

Research Question- The Russo-Japanese war of 1904 is the main contributor of the Revolution of 1905 in Russia. To what extent do you agree with this view? Justify your answer with a 1000 words as a minimum.

Russia during the 19th century was considered to be the mystical land of the Great Tsars and Tsarina’s. It long held the imagination of visitors and storytellers alike from its grand courts and palaces to its superb Caviar, Vodka and Faberge eggs. Russia was also the land of magic and superstition due to the powerful presence of the Russian Orthodox Church. But life for the most of Russia was not as starry and glamorous as described above. In fact the oppressive autocratic system was still living in the medieval age with poor peasant and serfs slaving for whatever little their rich masters would allow them. Most Russians lived in abject poverty and oppression and had little chance to advance. Russia was also the last to start its rise as an industrial power and relied mainly on the agrarian industry. Russia previously famed military now laid idle and ill trained to fight modern battles. Unknown to the Tsar and Russia the world has long left Russia in the rotten medieval age and had moved on. During the first half of the 20th century witnessed some repercussion in the mindset of the Russian bourgeois towards the oppressive Tsardom. The first strike came in 1905 through a revolution. Several factors contributed towards this revolution among them special mention is to be given for the Russo Japanese war. Through this essay I am attempting to dig out the possible connection between the war and the Revolution of 1905.

The Russo-Japanese War was from 1904-1905, it was caused due to Japans and Russia’s desire for expansion and dominance in Korea and Manchuria. Russia suffered many defeats in this war, against a nation that was considered inferior and was not one of the Great Powers. This humiliated the people of Russia



Bibliography: Endurance and Endeavour: Russian History, 1812-1992  J The Pursuit of Power in Modern Japan, 1825-1995  Chushichi Tsuzuki. Oxford University Press, 2000 The Twilight of Imperial Russia  Richard Charques. Essential Books, 1959 United Government and Foreign Policy in Russia, 1900-1914  David MacLaren McDonald. Harvard University Press, 1992 Britain and the Last Tsar: British Policy and Russia, 1894-1917  Keith Neilson. Clarendon Press, 1995 Bayonets before Bullets: The Imperial Russian Army, 1861-1914  Bruce W

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