Japan :: essays research papers

In 1868, Japan underwent radical changes in social aspects as tumesce as economic matters. A ministry of education was soon created in 1872, and in the same year, a strict education code was formulated. The governing body greatly wanted to industrialize in order to prevent foreign rule. The government sent students to Europe and America in order to learn horse opera ways. In 1877 the first college, the University of Tokyo was created. Japan quickly became more occidental like. Japan in order to increase its industry needed keen 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. Japans 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 normal easily dominated by others. With revolutionary trouble at residence 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 mortified 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 shamed or destroyed in the attack. News of this brought great civil discord in Russia with a revolutionary fever in the air the pack called for reform but the Czar declined the warning. (Encarta Russia)In March 1904 the Japanese initiatory Army landed at Chemulpo. It faced Russian forces on the Yalu river by late April. The Russian commander, General Aleksey Kuropatkin decided to hold defensive maculation until reinforcements arrived. The Japanese commander however built up a 6 t o 1 troop advantage and a breech of the Yalu river was forced on May 1st. During May the Japanese 2nd army landed on the Liaodong peninsula. It quickly severed communications between Port Author and the Russian forces in Manchuria. It then captured Kinchow and won the battle of Nanshan on May 30th. in brief the 2nd army besieged Port Author. The Russian commander Kuropatkin was in person ordered by Nicolas the 2nd to hold Port Author. Kuropatkin decided to fail his main forces to Liaoyang.