In the early nineteenth century the whole North Pacific was essentially an internal Russian sea. For a hundred years Russia has lost practically everything there is, becoming the hegemon in the most insignificant player.
145 years ago, on may 7, 1875, in St. Petersburg was signed the contract, planted under the Russian Empire a number of powerful time bombs.
the consequences of the signing of this agreement AUCA us so far. Moreover, the problems created then with one stroke of the pen, are unlikely to be resolved in the foreseeable future. According to the St. Petersburg Treaty of 1875, Russia received the right to possession of the whole territory of Sakhalin island, instead of giving Japan all (!) The Kurile Islands.
Picking historical examples to the conventional book “How to kill a successful project,” pass this story will not work. It should be the best themed illustration. Russia, possessing in the beginning of XIX century huge stepping stone in the Pacific for a hundred years, consistently losing all their positions. And in the early XX century, is literally nothing, turning from the almost hegemonic in the country, the victim defeat, meanest player in the region.
so, the exposition in the first fifteen years of the nineteenth century is as follows. Through the efforts of previous generations of pioneers and “Colombo Ross” Russia belong to the Aleutian Islands and Alaska. Through the efforts of Commodore Nikolay Rezanova California is firmly in the Russian sphere of interests: six years after his death there will be founded Fort Ross. Through the efforts of the commanders of the ships “Juno” and “Avos” — Nikolai Khvostov and Gavriil Davydov — all of Sakhalin and all the Kurile Islands annexed to Russia. Japanese horror: Russian officers were already trying to Hokkaido, the second largest island of Japan. Through the efforts of the commander of the sloop “Neva” Yuri Lisyansky king of Hawaii Kaumualii asks in Russian citizenship.
This is downright fabulous starting alignment. A significant part of the Pacific ocean becomes essentially an internal Russian sea. The main thing now — to hold the position and at least try to seize the moment. What was done by the government?
In the best case — nothing. But most of these “best cases” consider what was not. This is the beginning of a verdict in Hawaii: “the Emperor deign to believe that the acquisition of the still Islands and their voluntary admission to the shelter not only can not bring Russia any substantial use…”.
In 1841 an American of Swiss descent Johann Sottero sell Russian California, the colony centered in Fort Ross. Sell, citing economic losses. After seven years on the grounds of Sutter will start the famous California gold rush.
With Japan, however, were a kind of game. But very strange. On the one hand, the actions of Nikolai Khvostov and Gavriil Davydov, declared Sakhalin and the Kuriles, part of the Russian Empire, was recognized by the arbitrariness. On the other hand, the development of these lands, like continues. On the one hand — the beautiful words of the Emperor Nicholas I, said about the fact that Gennady Nevelskoy was announced in 1850, Sakhalin island Russian: “Where once raised the Russian flag, there he was to go down I shouldn’t.” On the other hand, the Treaty of Shimoda of 1855, under which Sakhalin is “in the joint possession of Russia and Japan”.
a remarkable inconsistency. It is unclear, we need Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands of the Russian Empire or she may at any time to refuse them. Well, just for the reason that “more reluctant to bother”. By the way, also it is unclear whether Russia continue to maintain its influence on Japan or the region her more without interest.
The last thought of the Japanese after the Civil war and the Meiji Revolution. In the event 1863-1869 years, when Japan closed before the country became a power, embarked on the Western path of development, Russia did not participate. England, France, USA, Holland, Germany — all of them in those events lit up. Forcing Japan out of isolation, these States did not hesitate to use force. The bombardment of Kagoshima or Shimonoseki bombardment, the capture of Yokohama taken under the muzzles of the guns compensation for the murder of Europeans — so Japan was forced into a new world.
But Russia, a close neighbor of Japan, having with her a common border?
the consequences of this was most deplorable. Here is how speaks about the result of a Russian sailor, traveler and publicist Alexander Maksimov in a series of essays “Our tasks in the Pacific”:
in Japan, it became clear that Russia, first, is not as strong as it seems. And secondly, that its interests in the Pacific are amorphous. And, then, Russian diplomats can twist the rope. That was demonstrated in the St. Petersburg. Under pressure from the Japanese side, the tsarist government has gone to unthinkable concessions. For Sakhalin, which is in fact controlled by Russia, the tsarist government gave the Russian Kuril Islands, thus depriving themselves of the opportunity of open access to the Pacific ocean from the sea of Okhotsk.
the Direct consequences of this act became clear in 1905 when in the course the Russo-Japanese war our entire far East was blocked by Japan. Long-term effects, we disentangle still.
Konstantin Kudryashov
