Russia’s foreign policy and the 1905 revolution

The Russian Empire differed from the British and French ones in that it annexed conquered territories directly to itself. It sought to extend its influence in the Balkans, the Black Sea straits, the Far East and Central Asia: the Khiva khanate became a vassal in 1873, Geok Tepe was taken in 1881, and the conquest of Central Asia was completed by 1885. In 1875 risings against Ottoman rule broke out in Bosnia and Herzegovina and then in Bulgaria; Russia declared war on Turkey on 24 April 1877 (12 April old style). The 1878 Treaty of San Stefano gave Bulgaria wide autonomy and recognised the independence of Serbia, Montenegro and Romania, but after objections from Britain and Austria-Hungary the Congress of Berlin met in June 1878: Bulgaria was split in two, Cyprus passed under British administration, Austria-Hungary received the right to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Russia obtained Batumi, Kars and Ardahan. Rivalry over Manchuria and Korea led to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905: Japan attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur in 1904 and the Russian fleet was defeated at Tsushima in 1905. On 5 September 1905 (23 August old style) peace was made at Portsmouth through US mediation: Russia recognised Korea as in Japan’s sphere and gave up the Port Arthur lease and the southern part of Sakhalin.