A clear and effective account of the Russo-Japanese War that foregrounds the structural imbalance in how both empires approached expansion. The main argument, that Russia’s overextension across multiple fronts contrasted with Japan’s more focused industrial and strategic modernisation, is the strongest through-line in the piece, and it helps explain why a “David and Goliath” framing is misleading.
The discussion of Nicholas II is also useful in illustrating the role of perception and misjudgement in imperial decision-making, particularly the way early racialised assumptions about Japan fed into strategic complacency. Against that, the Meiji state is presented as a far more coherent project of state-led industrial transformation, with naval and logistical capacity developed in alignment with clear geopolitical objectives.
The war itself is ultimately explained less as a surprise upset than as the outcome of uneven modernisation, differing state capacity, and strategic focus - with Russia’s dispersed imperial commitments contrasting sharply with Japan’s concentrated regional ambition. Overall very well-written! I've explored a similar time period in my podcast episode 'Lenin and Stalin: Succession or Betrayal?' - I'd really appreciate an expert's opinion if you have some free time to give it a listen.
I think this is a misreading of history, as the truth of that war has little to do with Nicholas' presumed dislike of Japan, and much more to do with this:
“You see, when Japan began to modernize under the Meiji Restoration, it turned to what it thought was Britain, but ended up in the hands of the Rothschilds, who used Schiff to militarize Japan against Russia."
The author may need to read a bit more about those times.
Well, the article isn't necessarily about the war as a whole, but the reaction of Russia and Nicholas II specifically, I'm well aware of the forces behind Japan.
The choice of picric acid based explosive for shell fillers allowed Japanese gunners to easily see their shells effect due to dark smoke and adjust their range, meanwhile the Russian shells produced a far less visible grey/white "smokeless" type signature, nearly invisible on the cloudy, foggy sea at Tsushima.
Between several semi obsolete naval and artillery technologies fielded by the Russian Empire, inequality of ship numbers and middle sized gun tubes much in Japan favor, their "home ground" advantage of short voyages from port to the battle (and Japanese more or less practicing meritocracy in officer placement vs. their family/rank among hereditary nobility largely deciding who the Russian officers were)? This was a near impossible fight for the Russians to have won.
Golden Kamuy is so fucking good
Hm
A clear and effective account of the Russo-Japanese War that foregrounds the structural imbalance in how both empires approached expansion. The main argument, that Russia’s overextension across multiple fronts contrasted with Japan’s more focused industrial and strategic modernisation, is the strongest through-line in the piece, and it helps explain why a “David and Goliath” framing is misleading.
The discussion of Nicholas II is also useful in illustrating the role of perception and misjudgement in imperial decision-making, particularly the way early racialised assumptions about Japan fed into strategic complacency. Against that, the Meiji state is presented as a far more coherent project of state-led industrial transformation, with naval and logistical capacity developed in alignment with clear geopolitical objectives.
The war itself is ultimately explained less as a surprise upset than as the outcome of uneven modernisation, differing state capacity, and strategic focus - with Russia’s dispersed imperial commitments contrasting sharply with Japan’s concentrated regional ambition. Overall very well-written! I've explored a similar time period in my podcast episode 'Lenin and Stalin: Succession or Betrayal?' - I'd really appreciate an expert's opinion if you have some free time to give it a listen.
Thank you for enjoying my article, your analysis frames everything perfectly. I'll give your podcast a listen!
Thank you I appreciate it!
I always had a pet theory that the easy Japonese victory in the Russo-Japanese War convinced them they could succesdfully take on the US some day.
I always had a pet theory that the easy Japonese victory in the Russo-Japanese War convinced them they could succesdfully take on the US some day.
I think you're probably right about that.
I think this is a misreading of history, as the truth of that war has little to do with Nicholas' presumed dislike of Japan, and much more to do with this:
“You see, when Japan began to modernize under the Meiji Restoration, it turned to what it thought was Britain, but ended up in the hands of the Rothschilds, who used Schiff to militarize Japan against Russia."
The author may need to read a bit more about those times.
Well, the article isn't necessarily about the war as a whole, but the reaction of Russia and Nicholas II specifically, I'm well aware of the forces behind Japan.
And many sets of binoculars were defenestrated...
The Russian 2nd Pacific Squadron: Voyage of the Damned
https://youtu.be/9Mdi_Fh9_Ag?si=gpggPKOPET96HlEz
Never bring Russian gun cotton charged naval shells to a Japanese trinitrophenol fight:
Battle of Tsushima - When the 2nd Pacific Squadron thought it couldn't get any worse...
https://youtu.be/BXpj6nK5ylo?si=XrXtV1-RRPpu84Lm
Excellent recommendations
The choice of picric acid based explosive for shell fillers allowed Japanese gunners to easily see their shells effect due to dark smoke and adjust their range, meanwhile the Russian shells produced a far less visible grey/white "smokeless" type signature, nearly invisible on the cloudy, foggy sea at Tsushima.
Between several semi obsolete naval and artillery technologies fielded by the Russian Empire, inequality of ship numbers and middle sized gun tubes much in Japan favor, their "home ground" advantage of short voyages from port to the battle (and Japanese more or less practicing meritocracy in officer placement vs. their family/rank among hereditary nobility largely deciding who the Russian officers were)? This was a near impossible fight for the Russians to have won.
This link may be of interest:
https://substack.com/@bigserge/p-156108113