The role of A.M. Bezobrazov in the unleashing of the Russo-Japanese War

the article analyses the role of A.M. Bezobrazov in unleashing the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The author examines the activities of the so-called ‘Bezobrazov clique’ – a group of influential persons, including Bezobrazov himself, his associates and relatives, who actively promoted expansionist policy in the Far East. The main attention is paid to Bezobrazov's report notes addressed to Nicholas II, in which he justified the need to strengthen the Russian presence in Manchuria and Korea, as well as criticised Japanese expansion. The author analyses how the ideas of Bezobrazov and his entourage contributed to the escalation of the conflict with Japan, despite the warnings of such politicians as Vitte. In addition, it is new in science to assess the rationality of Bezobrazov's thoughts in the geographical-strategic aspect. A historiographical review is given to examine the views of researchers such as A.I. Utkin, I.V. Lukoyanov and B.A. Romanov on Bezobrazov's role in key decisions. The author also emphasises that Bezobrazov's negative image in historiography is largely due to Russia's subsequent failures in the war and his conflicts with other dignitaries. The conclusion is that, although Bezobrazov was not the sole cause of the war, his actions greatly increased tensions in the region and contributed to the outbreak of a conflict that had far-reaching consequences for the Russian Empire.

A.M. Bezobrazov, «Bezobrazov’s Clique», the Russo-Japanese War, causes of the Russo-Japanese War, foreign policy of the Russian Empire, Manchuria