Sergei Witte and the Russo-Japanese War
Journal Title: International Journal of Korean History - Year 2005, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
During the period spanning from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, Sergei Witte, who served as Russian Finance Minister (1892-1903) and Chairman of the Council of Ministers (October 1905- April 1906), emerged as one of the most influential Russian policymakers, and as the architect of East Asian policy under Alexander III and Nicholas II.1 Witte’s involvement in Russia’s East Asian policy put Russia on a collision course with both Europe and Japan over the fate of Ching China. The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad emerged as the main impetus for Russia’s expansionist policies in East Asia. The Committee of Ministers began to hold discussions on possible routes for this proposed Trans-Siberian Railroad following Alexander III’s proclamation to this effect in May 1882. The official announcement regarding the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad was made in March 1891, with a ceremony to mark the actual onset of construction held on May 19 of that same year.2 However, it was only in December 1892 with the appointment of Witte as finance minister, and his subsequent resolution of the project’s shortage of funds, that the railway project began to gather steam. In December 1892 the Siberian Railroad Committee was established, with the heir apparent Nicholas appointed as chairman. The appointment of Nicholas as chairman of this committee resulted in the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad becoming a pet project for the future Tsar who would ascend the throne in 1894. Moreover, these circumstances allowed Witte to expand his influence. With his power suddenly expanded, Witte started to look outside of his finance ministry and involve himself in important government policy in other fields.
Authors and Affiliations
B. V. Anan'ich / S. A. Lebedev
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP26298
- DOI -
- Views 336
- Downloads 13
Korea and Japan During the Russo-Japanese War-With a Special Focus on the Japanese Occupation Forces in Korea
The Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars were colonial conflicts whose outcomes resulted in Japan emerging as the dominant power on the Korean peninsula. While a modernized Japan was granted control over Taiwan as th...
The Tokyo Trial and the Question of Colonial Responsibility: Zainichi Korean Reactions to Allied Justice in Occupied Japan
This article examines how the zainichi Korean media and organizations responded to the Tokyo Trial and its pursuit of war responsibility. Their critiques of the Tokyo Trial often presented a critical insight from the per...
India, Korea’s ‘Orient’ : Signs of Reproduced Orientalism
No Abstract
“The August Incident” and the Destiny of the Yanan Faction
The Korean independence movement in China is widely divided into the Guerrilla Faction active in northern China (Manchuria) and the Independence Alliance in mainland China. The Yanan Faction boasted the closest ties to t...
Na, Chŏl and the Characteristics of His National Movement
Na, Chŏl was an active participant in the anti‐Japanese rebellions who in his time was also involved in several diplomatic activities. Moreover, Na is also well known as the person who created the Taejong religion (Ta...