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The Russo-Japanese War
 The war between Russia and Japan which took place between 1904 and 1905 can be
said to have had its roots in the forced opening of Japan which was facilitated
by the Americans in 1853. With her ports open to the world, the country of
Japan experienced rapid modernization and industrialization throughout the
second half of the 19th century. These changes were only furthered when
the Imperial government was restored to power in 1868, and began looking outside
its borders seeking security and resources for the new Japan. Events in
Korea and China involving Japan as well as several influential western powers
helped advanced Japan's interests on the continent, ensuring the growing nation
a steady supply of important natural resources which the island nation lacked.
By the turn-of-the-century Japan began to perceive Russia as a serious threat to
Japan's continued exploitation of resources within the weakened territory of
China, leading to the start of war between Japan and Russia in 1904.
Within a year the Japanese had achieved a series of astonishing battle victories
including the destruction of the Russian fleet. By the time a peace treaty
was signed in 1905, Russia had given up considerable resources and territories
and suffered the disgrace of being the first modern Western power to suffer
defeat at the hands of an Asian nation. Public outrage within Russia after
the war played a significant role in the revolution of 1905; while the Japanese
enjoyed a heightened sense of national pride and international recognition which
helped fuel Japan's dreams of empire, culminating in destruction and defeat at
the end of World War Two.
Russo-Japanese War Postcards
 Before
winning the war with Russia the Japanese enjoyed many battle victories and the
overall mood at home and with the troops was exceptionally buoyant.
National pride was at its highest during this time and great predictions were
being made for the future of the glorious Japanese empire. News articles,
publications and items of propaganda were frequently used to capture and
magnified this feeling, and people began to collect and trade items such as
military postcards which were released by the government in sets and series
format. Enthusiastic collectors were even known to wait in line outside
the post office all night before a new set of cards was to be released.
And many groups formed for the purpose of meeting and trading war related
commemorative post cards.
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to see authentic Russo-Japanese War postcards available for purchase from our eBay store
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