How is the Russo-Japanese war one of the causes of World War 1?

Answer 1

1. WWI was caused by Germany fighting Britain. 2. Britain was a naval power. 3. Germany wanted to be a naval power. 4. Germany wanted to war with Britain. 5. Germany was NOT a naval power. 6. Germany could NOT be a naval power, if there were too many successful competitors; one big competitor had to be eliminated. 7. If Russia could be goaded (talked into, led on, tricked, etc.) into fighting Japan then Russia might be eliminated from the race (naval arms race). Russia lost 2 out of her 3 battleship fleets; and was effectively out of the game (out of the naval arms race). Now for the naval arms race itself: 1. Modern steel battleships were experimental. NO NATION had ever utilized modern steel engine powered battleships as they were designed to be used...in modern war, fought on the "battle-line" (hence the name "battleship" for "ship of the line."), in a "decisive fleet action." 2. Consequently, NO NATION really knew what a modern steel battleship should look like. Since no nation knew what would really work in a battleship design. So designers tried everything, including mixed batteries (different caliber guns instead of a uniform design). 3. The "Battle of Tsushima" demonstrated that a uniform armament of 12" rifles (guns/cannons) were the answer, coupled with battelship speed. Tsushima was fought in May '05; HMS Dreadnaught's keel was laid in Oct '05 with 12" rifles and speed built into the ship. HMS Dreadnaught launched a new ARM's RACE in which Germany built up her navy to challenge Britain in WWI (1914-1918).