Final answer:
Russia lost the Russo-Japanese War due to Japan's superior military organization, strategy, and modernization, as well as Russia's internal political turmoil and inefficient leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
How did Russia lose the Russo-Japanese War? The defeat can be largely attributed to the industrial, military, and strategic advantages that Japan held over Russia at the time. The Japanese dealt Russia a significant blow with a surprise naval attack on the Russian base at Port Arthur in 1904, initiating the war. Japan's modernized military forces then successfully engaged Russian troops in Manchuria and the Liaodong Peninsula.
Despite Russia's efforts to mobilize its Baltic fleet, sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, it suffered an embarrassing defeat by the well-prepared Japanese navy at the Battle of Tsushima, leading to Russian surrender after more than a year of fighting.
Ongoing internal strife also contributed to Russia's defeat. The war highlighted the Tsar's ineffective leadership and Russia's lag in industrialization. This disappointment among Russians sparked the Bloody Sunday event, where troops fired on unarmed protesters, catalyzing a nationwide wave of strikes and eventual political concessions by the Tsar including the establishment of the Duma. Meanwhile, the military mishaps during the war and dissatisfaction with the regime further eroded support for the Tsarist government.
Russia's pre-war encroachment into Manchuria, aiming for an ice-free Pacific port at Port Arthur, clashed with Japan's interests in East Asia, particularly in Korea. The Russo-Japanese War's outcome transformed international perceptions, establishing Japan as a formidable power and inspiring colonized peoples with the realization that European powers could be defeated.
Additionally, the strategic mishandling by Russian leaders and lack of industrial capacity further weakened their position and ultimately resulted in Russian concessions to Japan under the Treaty of Portsmouth, subsequently marking the end of the conflict.