what started the russo-japanese war?

russia issued a preemptive strike on japan in the sea of china.

the conflict over korea escalated into war near seoul, korea.

japan launched a surprise attack on the city of port arthur in russia.

negotiations to avoid war broke down, and war ensued.

The correct answer is C: Japan launched a surprise attack on the city of Port Arthur in Russia.

Explanation:

The Russo-Japanese War developed out of the rivalry between Russia and Japan for dominance in Korea and Manchuria. In 1898 Russia had pressured China into granting it a lease for the strategically important port of Port Arthur (now Lüshun), at the tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, in southern Manchuria.

to create a coalition between farmers in the South and West and urban laborers in the Midwest and Northeast.

Explanation: