Treaty of Portsmouth

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The Treaty of Portsmouth was a pivotal agreement signed on September 5, 1905, that officially ended the Russo-Japanese War. Negotiations took place at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, facilitated by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. The treaty recognized Japan's dominance in Korea and awarded it control over the Liaodong Peninsula, the South Manchuria Railway, and the southern half of Sakhalin Island. Russia retained the northern half of Sakhalin and avoided paying war reparations, a significant concession for Japan. The treaty marked a significant shift in regional power dynamics, establishing Japan as a major force in East Asia. Despite Japan's military victories, the treaty's terms were met with discontent in Japan due to the lack of reparations. Roosevelt's mediation earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. The treaty concluded an era of U.S.-Japanese cooperation and marked the beginning of increased competition between them in the Pacific. It also led to improved relations between Japan and Russia in the years following its signing. The treaty's impact was felt globally, influencing the course of international relations and military strategies in the early 20th century.