• Meiji Period Begins

  • Japan is unified

  • Japan makes a military

    In 1872, Japan formed a military based on nationwide conscription (of males).
  • Modernization of Japan

    Japan begins modernizing, starting with the tax system. Citizens were now required to pay taxes in cash, not rice.
  • "All citizens are equal"

    Japan abolishes the social rank of "Samurai" and declares that all citizens are equal.
  • First Sino-Japanese War

    Japan fights China over control of Korea
  • First Sino-Japanese War Ends

    Japan gains her first colony - Taiwan.
  • Russo-Japanese War Begins

    The war was fought over Manchuria and Korea.
  • Russo-Japanese War Ends

    Japan has annexed Korea as a result of the conflict
  • Meiji Era Ends

    The Meiji Emperor dies, and the sun sets on the Meiji Era.
  • Great Depression begins

    Japan turns Manchuria into a puppet state.
  • Japan Colonises Manchuria

    Japanese units stationed in Manchuria used a local incident as an excuse to completly control Manchuria.
  • Showa Era Begins

    Emperor Hirohito takes the throne
  • Second Sino-Japanese War

    Japan invades China for resources and land.
  • U.S Becomes involved in the Pacific War

    The U.S has issued an ultimatum to Japan, saying that steel and oil exports would be cut off unless they pulled out of China. Japan chose to ignore this warning.
  • Japan Loses WW2

    Japan loses World War 2