Russian Military Actions
Prior to the Great War
(1900-1913)

At the Great Powers continued their arms race in the West, Russia continued its focus in Asia.  The Great Game had largely ended, but Russia felt that it could still exert influence over China and Japan.  Its first action during this time period involved cooperating with other Western powers in crushing an anti-foreigner movement in China that became known as the Boxer Rebellion.  This successful intervention likely led the Russians to believe that their military might was far superior to that of any Eastern power, an assumption that would lead to disastrous consequences a few years later against the rising Empire of Japan.  The two powers fought in Korea to determine who would be master of the region.  A clumsy Russian military fought a valiant, but doomed action against the better prepared Japanese.  Two actions of the war -- The Siege of Port Arthur and the Battle of Tsushima -- would symbolize Russian ineptitude on land and sea (and herald their performance in the Great War to come). 

It was only in their traditional sphere of influence (Persia) where the Russians met with any success.  The Russian army helped stabilize a power struggle between claimants for the Persian throne, thus ensuring a friendly regime on their southern border.

The Boxer Rebellion
(1900-1901)

The Russo-Japanese War
(1904-1905)

Intervention in Persian Revolution
(1906-1911)

• Chronology
• Major Battles
• Losses

• Chronology
• Major Battles
• Losses

• Chronology
• Major Battles
• Losses