Was Russia An Insurmountable

Is distance an insurmountable problem, judging from the Russian Experience in this conflict and the British experience in the War of American Independence?

In order to clearly understand the points presented, insurmountable must first be clearly defined and understood in relation to the case. For this essay insurmountable means that Russia and the British were unable to overcome distance. Distance was the single factor that led to their inability to successfully wage war and defeat their opponents baring all other difficult matters were achievable.

In the Russo-Japanese War, distance from theater and within theater was not an insurmountable problem for the Russians. In contrast, distance from and within theater proved an insurmountable

Russia military desires in Asia were not of national security importance but that of imperialism and wealth, the former was most important to Nicholas II and the latter of Witte. The Far East expansion would allow Russia to initially capitalize on Manchuria and Korea’s resources and eventually take over their sovereignty. The Trans-Siberian railway, in connection with the Chinese Eastern railroads, would allow Russia to establish a monopoly over the resources and markets of Manchuria; the profits realized would be plowed back into to Russia’s economy and boosting them closer to a world power (Fuller, p.370). For Japan, Russia’s existence and military build-up in the region was of national security importance which put an intrinsic value on the object and this sentiment was supported by all of Japan. The value of the object was of less importance to the people of Russia. Japan was not a national security threat for Russia. Nor did Russia ever think Japan, who was economically and militarily inferior, could compete with the power of Russia. Russiaf they desired, war with Japan would be a simple, limited affair. Russia was bound to fail based on Clausewitz’s tendencies of war, the people, the government and the Army. For the war to have ended in Russia’s favor there needed

Both government and military leaders made miscalculations and decisions that caused unnecessary friction that resulted in Russia’s defeat. The first example of a poor leader is Nicholas II. The Emperor could have prevented Russia from going to war had he diplomatically dealt with Japan. Japan made every effort to address Nicholas II; to no avail, he purposefully ignored their issues. Under Nicholas’ II Rule, Russia made the fatal mistake of not preparing themselves in the event of a war with Japan during the negotiation period. Nicholas II had been warned of the dangers of imperial expansion in the East but did not take considerable measures to defend itself during the process (Fuller, p. 398). The Empire had instituted a policy- strategy mismatch. An imperialist policy requires strong use of diplomatic and military power with the unlimited use of both. Nicholas II failed on the diplomatic front, which led to the war, and the military powers also failed which resulted in a defeat. Russia’s war planning was nothing more than side-bar conversations or thoughts of individuals who had no real ability to strategize. The Russian Council board discussed concentrating the fleet in the East, to ensure Japan was eliminated if war was necessary. This strategy would have provided Russia more favorable conditions for success. However, the decision not to guard their