Russian Troops in Donghak

In this timeline, Russia covets Korea's resources more and seeks out every opportunity it can to play Korea's friend. Russia's true intention, as you well already know, is to turn Korea into a Russian puppet. Would Japan back down, knowing it would have to face China and Russia at the same time? Is there a Sino-Russian War instead of a Sino-Japanese War?
 
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I'd think that China would back down in the face of Russia. They've already given up their own territory to Russia, after all.

Japan's gonna try to get Korea once it's clear that China's abandoned it.
 
In this timeline, Russia covets Korea's resources more and seeks out every opportunity it can to play Korea's friend. Russia's true intention, as you well already know, is to turn Korea into a Russian puppet. Would Japan back down, knowing it would have to face China and Russia at the same time? Is there a Sino-Russian War instead of a Sino-Japanese War?

For what I know, this is the idea in Beer's ongoing TL.

With a very "recent" POD, this may be hard because:
  1. Russia wants to be a friend with Korea's government.
  2. Korea's government is already friendly with Russia.
 
Given the Russian view of 'Asiatics', I doubt that Russian as opposed to Japanese domination would mark much of an improvement for poor Korea :( The dominated people would still be considered 'inferior' by the dominators, and Russian soldiery weren't exactly noted for gentleness...
 

LordKalvert

Banned
Russia would only send in troops in cooperation with China or Japan. Since the Russians are interested in maintaining the status quo (at least until their railroad is finished) its doubtful that they would do anything except in cooperation with China.

Therefore, we can rule out a Sino-Russian War

Russian intervention may prevent the Sino-Japanese War, actually almost certainly would. China isn't helpless against the Japanese and if she had managed her resources competently would have beaten the Japanese rather easily. Combined with Russia, the Japanese would have backed down in a heartbeat as they back down to the Russians after the war
 
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