Why did Russia lose the Russo-Japanese War?
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On land, the fight dragged on. The majority of wars occurred in the Manchuria, which was far away in the heart of Russia. A single slow railroad was the only means of transportation of supplies. Japan was a neighbor, meanwhile. It was able to deploy troops and equipment at a fast speed, thus putting it at an advantage. Nevertheless, the army of the Russians did not roll over. They struck Japan at such battles as Liaoyang and Mukden. The soldiers of Japan were nearly exhausted by the time Mukden came into the picture. On paper the war might have stalemated. You see history does not wait on maybes.
At sea, Russia was doomed. Japan had a modern, fast, ruthless navy. First, it struck the Pacific Fleet of Russia in a surprise attack paralyzing it. Then the Tsar threw a last cry--he despatched the Baltic Fleet on a suicidal eight-month voyage around the world. The result? The Battle of Tsushima in 1905. A single battle, and the fleet of Russia was shattered to bits. Almost every ship was sunk.
That was the breaking point. Russia had no navy, and could not maintain the war. Tsar Nicholas II was forced to step down and sign peace.
Ultimately, it is a simple tale; the Russian army had put in a great fight, but without dominance of the sea the empire was over.
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