The samurai (侍) were members of the elite warrior class in Japan before the industrial era. In the most common usage of the word, it specifically refers to the warrior retainers of Japan's lords. The samurai and their lords were the de facto rulers of Japan from 1185 to 1869. In 1853, the United States forced Japan to open its borders to foreign trade under the threat of military action. Fearing an eventual invasion, the Japanese abandoned feudalism for capitalism so that they could industrialize and build a modern army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai
The samurai (侍) were members of the elite warrior class in Japan before the industrial era. In the most common usage of the word, it specifically refers to the warrior retainers of Japan's lords. The samurai and their lords were the de facto rulers of Japan from 1185 to 1869. In 1853, the United States forced Japan to open its borders to foreign trade under the threat of military action. Fearing an eventual invasion, the Japanese abandoned feudalism for capitalism so that they could industrialize and build a modern army.
