Why did the Russo-Japanese War happen?

The Russo-Japanese War was a military conflict that occurred from 1904 to 1905 between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan. The war was fought over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea, as both nations sought to expand their spheres of influence in Asia.

The immediate cause of the war was the territorial dispute over Manchuria and Korea. Japan was emerging as a regional power in Asia and sought to challenge Russian dominance in the region. Russia had established a sphere of influence in Manchuria and was seeking to expand its control further into the region. Japan, seeing this as a threat to its national security, launched a surprise attack on the Russian naval base at Port Arthur on February 8, 1904, and declared war.

The war was also influenced by economic and political factors. Japan's rapid modernization and industrialization had given it an advantage in terms of military technology and strategy. Russia, on the other hand, was facing internal political turmoil and economic instability, which hindered its ability to effectively wage war.

The Russo-Japanese War ended in 1905 with the Treaty of Portsmouth, mediated by the United States. Japan emerged victorious, gaining control over Korea and expanding its influence in Manchuria. The war had significant international repercussions, as it marked the first time an Asian power had defeated a European power in a modern war. It also contributed to the decline of the Russian Empire and the rise of Japan as a major world power.