Ridiculous History: That Time Japan Absolutely Rinsed Russia, Part One: The Race for Manchuria

Released on February 11, 2025 by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the compelling episode titled "That Time Japan Absolutely Rinsed Russia, Part One: The Race for Manchuria," hosts Ben Bullen and Noel Brown delve deep into one of history’s most underestimated conflicts—the Russo-Japanese War. With insights from their research associate, Dr. Z, the duo unpacks how a nation once considered underdeveloped orchestrated a stunning victory over the colossal Russian Empire, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Asia.

1. Setting the Stage: Japan’s Meteoric Rise

The episode begins with an exploration of Japan’s extraordinary rise to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike many nations of its time, Japan embarked on a path of selective isolationism, carefully balancing openness to Western innovations while fiercely maintaining its autonomy. This strategy, as Bullen aptly puts it, allowed Japan to "embrace all the scientific and technical and political expertise from the west as long as they deemed it appropriate" ([09:37] Ben Bullen).

Notable Quote:

“You can’t run our country, but teach us the biggest innovations in manufacturing and we'll take that.”
— Noel Brown ([09:37])

2. Russia’s Ambitions in Manchuria and Korea

Parallel to Japan’s ascent, the Russian Empire harbored longstanding ambitions to expand its territory into Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. Tracing back to the reign of Ivan the Terrible, Russia sought to secure warm water ports—a critical strategic and economic necessity. The acquisition of Vladivostok via the Trans-Siberian Railway symbolized this expansion but was beset by logistical challenges, particularly the seasonal usability of the port ([13:19] Noel Brown).

Notable Quote:

“Constructing railways is a lot like rivers and tributaries. This would be followed by a bunch of smaller railways that would connect Manchuria to the rest of Russia.”
— Ben Bullen ([25:24])

3. The Prelude: Sino-Japanese War and Shifting Powers

The episode recounts the aftermath of the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895), where Japan's victory bolstered its claim as a dominant Asian power. Despite setbacks like losing the Liaodong Peninsula due to the Triple Intervention by France, Germany, and Italy, Japan remained undeterred in its imperial aspirations ([05:54] Ben Bullen).

Notable Quote:

“Russia in 1904 was more of a paper tiger than a sleeping giant.”
— Noel Brown ([30:44])

4. Igniting the Russo-Japanese War: The Attack on Port Arthur

The war officially commenced on February 8, 1904, when Japan launched a surprise attack on the Russian naval base at Port Arthur without prior declaration of war. This audacious move, reminiscent of tactics later seen at Pearl Harbor, involved torpedo attacks that crippled Russian battleships, including the Retvizan and Tsarevich ([26:42] Noel Brown).

Notable Quote:

“The Japanese Navy has opened the war by an act of daring which is destined to take a place of honor in naval annals.”
— The Times of London ([28:21] Noel Brown)

5. Naval Strategies and the Siege of Port Arthur

Admiral Togo Heihachiro, leading the Japanese forces, swiftly shifted from flashy initial assaults to a more strategic blockade, aiming to smoke out and starve Russian forces into submission. This shift underscored Japan’s prowess in both naval strategy and psychological warfare ([29:47] Noel Brown).

Notable Quote:

“The tactic, the heart and soul of the tactic remains the same.”
— Ben Bullen ([28:04])

6. Russia’s Struggle for Reinforcement

Facing a blockade, Russia attempted to send reinforcements via the Trans-Siberian Railway. However, geopolitical tensions complicated their efforts. The British closure of the Suez Canal in retaliation for an accidental attack on British fishing vessels severely hampered Russia’s logistical capabilities, forcing their fleet to undertake the arduous journey around the Cape of Good Hope ([35:28] Noel Brown).

Notable Quote:

“You have to figure out something else.”
— Admiral Togo Heihachiro ([29:47])

7. The Turning Tide: Battle of the Yalu River

By May 1, 1904, Japan’s strategic advantages culminated in a decisive victory at the Battle of the Yalu River, further diminishing Russian capabilities. The disproportionate effectiveness of Japanese forces, coupled with Russia's stretched supply lines, signaled a pivotal shift in the war’s momentum ([30:04] Ben Bullen).

8. The Surrender and Aftermath

After enduring relentless assaults and facing insurmountable odds, the Russian garrison in Port Arthur, led by General Anatoly Stess, capitulated on January 2, 1905. This surrender not only marked the end of the Russo-Japanese War but also underscored the decline of Tsarist Russia and heralded the rise of Japan as a formidable global power ([42:12] Ben Bullen).

Notable Quote:

“Japan’s troops were crossing into Manchuria and defeating Russians on land.”
— Noel Brown ([30:04])

Conclusion and Tease for Part Two

As the episode wraps up Part One, Bullen and Brown reflect on the profound implications of Japan’s victory over Russia. They hint at the continuing repercussions of this conflict, setting the stage for Part Two, where they promise to explore the ensuing power dynamics and the eventual fallout that shaped modern Asia.

Notable Quote:

“You have to stop this Japanese advance. We cannot have them completely encircling Port Arthur by sea and by land because we will never get it back.”
— The Collector via Ben Bullen ([35:32])

Acknowledgments

The hosts extend their gratitude to Dr. Z for his invaluable research and insights, as well as to their producer, Max Williams. They also invite listeners to engage with them on social media and explore related content through iHeartRadio’s diverse podcast offerings.

Final Quote:

“We know this one's a little bit in the weeds. But I think it's one for a lot of you war wonks out there.”
— Noel Brown ([42:57])

Stay Tuned

Don’t miss Part Two of this riveting series, where Ben Bullen and Noel Brown continue their exploration of how Japan's strategic maneuvers not only defeated Russia but also set the stage for future conflicts and the reshaping of international relations in the early 20th century.

Connect with Ridiculous History

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  • Noel Brown: @HowNowNoelBrown
  • Ben Bullen: @BenBullen

• Website: benbullen.com

• Related Podcast: Ridiculous Crime – Explore more outrageous historical tales.

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