August 2: The Meiji Reformation eliminates the samurai class, and the class system known as shinōkōshō, including teachers, artisans, small farmers and traders, in 1869. Although traditional Japanese date refers to June 25, 1869, in the Western world the date was taken as the August 2, 1869.

Emperor Meiji at age 27

Japanese Meiji Revolution began August 2, 1869, when the Japanese emperor system shinōkōshō eliminated classes, with foundations in the warmongering Samurai.
Emperor Meiji ended the Tokugawa shogunate, and sent commissioners to western countries to bring constitutional and business proposals to turn Japan into an international power.

E.R. Dumont, EMPEROR MEIJI OF JAPAN (1904). Courtesy of Library of Congress

The Meiji period elapses between 1869 and 1912: Japan emerged as a military and industrial power. Japan advanced copying Western Industrial Revolution and made a mission: "Enriching the nation and let strengthen it militarily". In many cases Japanese businesses captured markets simply by selling at a loss.

"The New Imperialism"

Recall that the Russian empire of the czars sought to "warm waters" of the Mediterranean Sea, the Yellow Sea, and Japan. To achieve the latter, it was necessary to dominate Manchuria and the Korean peninsula.

Japan: The Meiji Restoration overview

The Japanese Empire was expanding eager to release his new industrialized army. Then they saw the opportunity to face the Muscovite Bear and beat him with punishment that was the primary cause of Russian humiliation before the world.

A year after that defeat, they began the revolt against Czarist Russia. Japan emerged as a new power in the twentieth century. The Russians lasted twelve years criticizing the tsars until October 1917: The Lenin Revolution!

Review of Japanese Social Structure (Before Meiji Restoration)

But we'll see how this new power that scared in the Second World War and suddenly attacked the US at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 arose.

The Japs!

Meiji Revolution!