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Today, September 6, 1905, marks the end of the Russo-Japanese War over Korea.(1) The United States president, Theodore Roosevelt, helped make peace between Russia and Japan at Portsmouth, in America. They created the Treaty of Portsmouth which, forced Russia to evacuate southern Manchuria. It also allowed, Japan to take control of the Liaotung Peninsula, as well as Port Athur. However, most importantly, the treaty recognized Japan's control over Korea.

Many Koreans are outraged that they are being passed from one country to the other without control over their own government. Ever since the Sino-Japanese War, Korea has been used and taken advantage of by many countries. After Japan, won the war, they gained control of Korea. Japan wanted control of Korea to gain power and form an imperialist reputation. However, Japan then was forced to return Korea to Chinese control by Europe. Russia leased Port Arthur from china in 1898 for its trading opportunities. After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan once again, regained control of Korea. Neither Japan nor Russia actually cared about the people living in Korea. Many Koreans feel taken advantage of and used. Korea has been stuck in the middle of the conflict between Japan and Russia. Korea would have lost no mater witch side one. Either way, Korea would have been controlled by a country that's only interest in them is natural resources and power.

Many events lead to Japan taking over the control of Korea. The war over Korea started on February 8, 1904, when Japan surprise attacked Port Arthur. Japan took over this Russian naval base and marched into Korea, overrunning the country. The Japanese easily defeated the Russians as they marched up the Liaodong peninsula. When describing this war, the Russian commander in chief said, "It is impossible not to admire the bravery and activity of the Japanese. The attack of the Japanese is a continuous succession of waves, and they never relax their efforts by day or by night.(2)" In an effort to fight back, Russia sent its Baltic fleet all the way to East Asia. However, even the Baltic Fleet was no match for Japan. Japan defeated the Russian fleet in the Battle of Tsushima. This lead to the defeat of Russia and the Treaty of Portsmouth.

(image, 2)Some Koreans are happy that the Russo-Japan War is over. One local Korean said, "I'm glad that this war is finally over. At least now we know who is controlling us. Hopefully this is the end of the conflict between Russia and Japan and we won't be stuck in the middle any more." Other Koreans are angry that we allowed this problem to go on for so long. One Korean said, "This is unacceptable that we let two countries that don't care about the Koreans fight over us. We are becoming a possession that is used to measure power. Shouldn't we be allowed to use our own ports and natural resources for our own country?" Over all, Korea was used and caught in the middle of the war between Japan and Russia. In many ways, Japans victory over Russia was a defeat for Korea because Korea is still controlled by a foreign country.

Sources:

(1)"Russo-Japanese War" Encyclopedia Britanica Online. <http:www.eb.com: 180.bol.topic?eu=66160&sctn=1&pm=1> (Accessed 29 January 2002)

(2)Spielvogel, Jackson J. World History: The Human Odysey. Cincinnati, West Educational Publishing, 1998, 722.

(3)Lee, Ki-baik Lee, A New History of Korea, trans. Edward W. Wagner (Cambridge: Farvard Unicersity Press,

1954), 306-310.

(4)Simons, Geoff, Korea: The Search for Sovereignty (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1995) 24-25.

Images:

(1)[http://www.degener.com/1061-2a.jpg,] Febuary 1, 2002

(2)"Online Book Store,"[http://www.skalman.nu/bookstore-russo-jap.htm], Febuary 1, 2002

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