Sergei Witte and the Russo-Japanese War
Journal Title: International Journal of Korean History - Year 2005, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
During the period spanning from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, Sergei Witte, who served as Russian Finance Minister (1892-1903) and Chairman of the Council of Ministers (October 1905- April 1906), emerged as one of the most influential Russian policymakers, and as the architect of East Asian policy under Alexander III and Nicholas II.1 Witte’s involvement in Russia’s East Asian policy put Russia on a collision course with both Europe and Japan over the fate of Ching China. The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad emerged as the main impetus for Russia’s expansionist policies in East Asia. The Committee of Ministers began to hold discussions on possible routes for this proposed Trans-Siberian Railroad following Alexander III’s proclamation to this effect in May 1882. The official announcement regarding the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad was made in March 1891, with a ceremony to mark the actual onset of construction held on May 19 of that same year.2 However, it was only in December 1892 with the appointment of Witte as finance minister, and his subsequent resolution of the project’s shortage of funds, that the railway project began to gather steam. In December 1892 the Siberian Railroad Committee was established, with the heir apparent Nicholas appointed as chairman. The appointment of Nicholas as chairman of this committee resulted in the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad becoming a pet project for the future Tsar who would ascend the throne in 1894. Moreover, these circumstances allowed Witte to expand his influence. With his power suddenly expanded, Witte started to look outside of his finance ministry and involve himself in important government policy in other fields.
Authors and Affiliations
B. V. Anan'ich / S. A. Lebedev
Keywords
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