Use the passage below to answer parts A, B, and C of the question that follows. "The victory of Japan would incontestably give her the predominance in the Far East, commercially as well as politically. Not only would she be a formidable trade rival to the European nations whose methods she has so successfully adopted, but she would be able to influence the conditions under which that trade was carried on. The immensely valuable and as yet imperfectly developed market of China would be practically within her control; and European Powers would no longer be able with impunity to seize naval bases and proclaim exclusive spheres of influence in Chinese territory. On the other hand, if Russia were to emerge victorious from the war, the whole of China would become a mere vassal state, if indeed its integrity could be preserved. Trade would be discouraged and finally extinguished by the exclusive methods of Russian policy, and except on sufferance no other Power could obtain a footing in the Far East. The whole future of this vast region, therefore, hung in the balance, for the battle was between freedom, progress and enlightenment, as represented by Japan, and obscurantism, oppression and stagnation, as represented by Russia.”

Sydney Tyler, an American historian analyzing the conflict, The Japan-Russia War, 1905

a) Identify ONE specific example of the root causes of the Russo-Japanese War that is NOT explicitly stated by the author.
b) Explain ONE specific example of the broader effects of the Russo-Japanese War that is NOT explicitly stated by the author.
c) Explain ONE specific example of how losing the war affected Russia.

A) One particular example of the root causes of the Russo-Japanese War, which the author does not clearly say, is that Russia was afraid of Japan becoming a strong empire in the East and of getting rid of its hegemony over a large part of East Asia. Russia thought Japan could easily accomplish this feat if Japan managed to gain new territory and increase its military strength, so they decided to start a war with Japan to retain control over these territories and maintain their dominance. They may also begin to expand their influence with the loss of Japan. In the passage, this is not specifically specified, but it is inferred, as the author mentions what would happen if each side won, and generally suggests their aims and the war's reasons.

B) One concrete example of the wider consequences of the Russo-Japanese War, which the author does NOT directly say, is that it became a world power as a result of Japan's victory. This is not specifically mentioned in the passage, but the author does suggest that in Southeast Asia, European powers will have a tougher time occupying territory, namely China. Japan acquired influence over certain East Asian territories that Russia had acquired and made it so that Japan would be a force to be dealt with in future wars. The triumph of Japan against Russia also inadvertently contributed to the involvement of Japan in both World Wars, as Japan became a world power and, with its military might, participated in both. So, in short, Japan became a world power because of Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War and was regarded by other nations as a force to be reckoned with, and it participated in both World Wars with this power.

C) One particular example of how losing the war-affected Russia is that political turmoil was created as a result of the embarrassment Russians felt after their defeat, and there was the division within Russian society. This inevitably led to the government's overthrow in 1917, as many factors contributed to social and political tension, but the icing on the cake was the failure of the Russo-Japanese War, a war they felt they could win, and the loss of all their South Asian territories as a result. So, in short, tensions increased as a result of the defeat of the Russo-Japanese War, and the government eventually was overthrown.

Explanation:

c would be the correct !

hope this !

~bbgluver

utilized the penal colony