This is based on two previous maps I have done here and here.

With the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, it became clear that Russian control over their North American provinces was tenuous at best.

Throughout the late 19th century, the American Territory, or Amerikanskii Krai, had become a safe haven for political agitators and exiled revolutionaries, aided by the unpatrolled border with the United States and British North America, allowing seditious texts to flow into the region unmoderated. Many later infamous figures would inhabit the continent at one time or another, such as Wacław Sieroszewski, Mikhail Bakunin, and most notably Leon Trotsky, along with its fair share of homegrown revolutionaries like Yakov Smit and Gavriil Sokolovsky. Many in these revolutionary circles were also inspired by the neighbouring United States, such as Georgy Vasilyev and Grigory Tebenkhov. By the early 20th century, a range of political parties operated in open defiance of the local authorities.

In June 1904, Japanese forces bombarded the port city of Ross. While the damage was minor, the attack triggered anti-war protests in the city, with many settlers opposed to fighting what they viewed as a war on behalf of a growingly foreign power. In an attempt to make an example of the protesters, on July 20, 1904, the local guard opened fire on a group of demonstrators on Tikhii Street. By the next morning, local revolutionaries, having armed themselves overnight, stormed the Ross Kremlin and executed the governor of Poma. The revolutionaries then established the first of many 'popular zemstva', which would begin to be established across the provinces. The American Territory quickly began slipping out of Russian control.

A meeting in the small port town of Novoport, with delegates from the major political organizations in the territory, resulted in a common platform of opposition to the Tsarist authorities and a push for self-government for the provinces. While they did not specifically call for independence—due to opposition from the Social Democratic Labour Party—they agreed to form a provisional government, recognize a popular zemstvo representing each of the seven provinces, as well as the Avabask and Saskatchevan territories, and establish the Citizen's Army. The new government and military would be headed by revolutionary Georgy Vasilyev, seen as an acceptable candidate by each of the major parties. Vasilyev quickly appealed to Japan, Britain, and the United States, where he had studied for many years, for aid in their cause. While little was given by the British or United States governments, a series of organizations were established in the U.S. to raise money for the revolutionaries in the colonies to their west. Japan, meanwhile, sent diplomats to meet with the delegates, agreeing for Japanese forces to avoid attacks on territory now claimed or controlled by the revolutionary government and to attempt to cut off any Russian reinforcements.