Flag of Qing Dynasty, 1862-1890
Not to be confused with Qin dynasty, the third/fourth dynasty of China and the first dynasty of Imperial China.
The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: ??; pinyin: Q?ng cháo; Wade-Giles: Ch’ing ch’ao; Manchu: Daicing gurun; Mongolian: ???? ??? ???), also known as the Manchu Dynasty, was the last ruling dynasty of China from 1644 to 1911. The dynasty was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro in what is today northeast China (Manchuria). Starting in 1644 it expanded into China proper and its surrounding territories, establishing the Empire of the Great Qing (simplified Chinese: ???; traditional Chinese: ???; pinyin: dàq?ngguó). The Qing Dynasty was the last Imperial dynasty of China. Declared as the Later Jin Dynasty in 1616, it changed its name to “Qing”, meaning “clear” or “pellucid”, in 1636 and captured Beijing in 1644. By 1646 it had come into power over most of present-day China, although complete pacification of China would not be accomplished until 1683.
During its reign, the Qing Dynasty was highly integrated with Chinese culture. However, its military power weakened during the 1800s, and faced with international pressure, massive rebellions and defeats in wars, the Qing Dynasty declined after the mid-19th century. The Qing Dynasty was overthrown following the Xinhai Revolution, when Empress Dowager Longyu abdicated on behalf of the last emperor, Puyi, on February 12, 1912.