Japanese Forces example essay topic

In 1868, Japan underwent radical changes in social aspects as well as economic matters. A ministry of education was soon created in 1872, and in the same year, a strict education code was formulated. The government greatly wanted to industrialize in order to prevent foreign rule. The government sent students to Europe and America in order to learn Western ways.

In 1877 the first college, the University of Tokyo was created. Japan quickly became more Western like. Japan in order to increase its industry needed raw materials something in, which the mainland lacked. The only way to gain these was by buying from larger countries or conquering new territory, which had the needed raw materials. Japan wished to gain footholds in Korea, China, and Manchuria but at the time, Russia had already gained footholds in these areas. Japan's greatly modern military easily defeated the Chinese army and navy over the matter of Korea in the Sino-Japanese war.

(Encarta Japan) In 1894, Nicholas the 2nd ascended to the throne of Russia. Although he was a good man he was a weak ruler easily dominated by others. With revolutionary trouble at home and the disagreement over Manchuria with Japan, turmoil soon broke out in Russia. Afterward, a compromise with Japan on the Manchuria issue was unsuccessful. Diplomatic ties were broken in early 1904, which prompted a surprise attack, by the Japanese navy on Port Author.

The attack was hugely successful. Many of the Russian ships were damaged or destroyed in the attack. News of this brought great civil strife in Russia with a revolutionary fever in the air the people called for reform but the Czar declined the warning. (Encarta Russia) In March 1904 the Japanese 1st Army landed at Chemulp'o. It faced Russian forces on the Yalu river by late April.

The Russian commander, General Aleksey Kuropatkin decided to hold defensive position until reinforcements arrived. The Japanese commander however built up a 6 to 1 troop advantage and a breech of the Yalu river was forced on May 1st. During May the Japanese 2nd army landed on the Liao dong peninsula. It quickly severed communications between Port Author and the Russian forces in Manchuria. It then captured Kin chow and won the battle of N anshan on May 30th. Soon the 2nd army besieged Port Author.

The Russian commander Kuropatkin was personally ordered by Nicolas the 2nd to hold Port Author. Kuropatkin decided to move his main forces to Liaoyang. After defeating a Russian force of 25,000 at Wafangdian on June 14th, the Japanese army converged on Liaoyang. In late July Kuropatkin tried to start an offensive but was pushed back to Liaoyang. The Battle of Liaoyang began on August 25th and lasted 8 days. Japanese forces severely outnumbered 125,000 to 200,000 defeated the Russians at Liaoyang.

Russian forces were left with no option but to retreat to Shenyang in the north. The Japanese campaign had been very successful however they were running low on trained men. Russia on the other hand was being reinforced by 35,000 a day by the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The Russian commander decided it was time to attack.

The first Russian offensive was a river assault that lasted 12 days but was repelled by the Japanese. Meanwhile the Japanese had been bombarding Port Author for nearly six months; once more, they tried to storm it. After a bloody battle that lasted 10 days and took 10,000 Japanese lives, an essential position was captured. Soon after the Russian commander surrendered Port Author on January 2nd 1905.

(Encarta Russo-Japanese War) Now Kuropatkin with reinforcements from the East and the Japanese commander with the 2nd army available, were able to build up forces around Shenyang. The Japanese forces confidant of victory took the offensive despite disadvantages in men and in artillery. The Japanese Army soon forced the withdrawal of Russian forces from Shenyang. The Russians lost some 90,000 men and the Japanese lost 50,000 in the battle.

This battle ended all hostilities on land but Japan still faced the threat of the Russian Navy. With Russia's Far East fleet weakened the Russians decided to send the Baltic Fleet. Composed of some 45 ships the fleet set sailed on October 15th 1904. The fleet reached the China Sea by May 1905. The Japanese fleet, which was superior in speed and armament, intercepted the Russian Fleet. The Japanese fleet was victorious sinking eight battleships, nine cruisers, and a dozen smaller vessels.

The Japanese also captured 7500 Russian sailors despite relatively minor losses, only 3 submarines. The Czar soon accepted mediation extended by the United States President Theodore Roosevelt. The Japanese, who were victorious on all fronts but financially exhausted also, agreed to negotiate. On September 5th 1905, the treaty of Portsmouth was signed. Russia was forced to surrender its lease to Liaoyang and Port Author, ceded the Southern half of Sakhalin, evacuated Manchuria and recognized Korea as a Japanese sphere of influence. (Encarta Russo-Japanese War) Japan had succeeded in achieving its goals, it soon became industrialized and found itself a major world influence.

However, more importantly it marked the first time a European power had lost to an Asian country in a war in modern times. Japan in a very short period of time became a force to be reckoned with and major industrialized country..