Lecture Notes: The Battle of Tsushima

Introduction

• The lecture is presented by "The History Guy" who has a degree in history.
• Focuses on significant historical battles that have far-reaching impacts.
• Discusses the Battle of Tsushima, an influential but largely forgotten naval battle.

Context and Background

• Date: May 27-28, 1905
• War: Russo-Japanese War
• Empires Involved: Japan and Russia
• Main Contest: Control over Manchuria and Korea.

Russo-Japanese Conflict

• Russia:
  • Expansionist desires in the Far East under Tsar Nicholas II.
  • Improved military logistics via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
  • Stationed a powerful fleet at Port Arthur, seen as a threat by Japan.
• Japan:
  • Transitioned from a feudal state post-Tokugawa Shogunate to modernization during the Meiji Revolution.
  • Emphasized military reform and built a modern army and navy.
  • Defeated China in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), becoming a Pacific power.

Prelude to Battle

• Conflict Trigger: Competing interests in Manchuria and Korea led to inevitable conflict.
• Diplomacy: Failed attempts by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt to mediate peace.
• War Declaration: Japan declared war in February 1904, launching a surprise attack on Port Arthur.

The Battle of Tsushima

• Russian Fleet:
  • Outdated ships and exhausted crew.
  • Undertook an arduous 18,000-mile journey to Japan.
• Japanese Navy:
  • More modern ships, superior tactics, and better-equipped.
  • Key advantage due to new explosive rounds and radio communication.
• Battle Outcome:
  • Decisive Japanese victory with 7 Russian battleships and 14 ships sunk.
  • Only 3 Russian ships reached Vladivostok.

Consequences and Impact

• Peace Treaty:
  • Mediated by Theodore Roosevelt; led to the Treaty of Portsmouth.
  • Russia vacated Manchuria; Japan annexed Korea in 1910.
• Impact on Russia:
  • Loss of prestige in Europe, influencing war strategies.
  • Contributed to the Russian Revolution of 1905, leading to political reform.
• Impact on Japan:
  • Established as a World Power, but increased militaristic tendencies.
  • Set the stage for future conflicts with the U.S. and European powers.
• Global Impact:
  • Shifted naval military strategies, influencing battleship designs such as HMS Dreadnought.
  • Contributed to European military spending and militarism, leading up to World War I.
  • Preceded the geopolitical alignments of World War II.

Conclusion

• The Battle of Tsushima, though forgotten, played a crucial role in pre-staging World Wars.
• Encourages the audience to consider the battle's broad historical impacts and implications.