The Qing dynasty ruled China from 1644 to 1912, making it the last imperial dynasty in Chinese history. Founded by the Manchu people from northeastern China, the Qing successfully conquered the Ming dynasty and established their capital in Beijing. This dynasty would govern the vast Chinese empire for nearly three centuries.
The Manchus were a nomadic people from Manchuria in northeastern China. Under the leadership of Nurhaci and his son Hong Taiji, they unified the various tribes and built a formidable military force. Taking advantage of internal rebellions that weakened the Ming dynasty, the Manchus marched south and captured Beijing in 1644, marking the beginning of Qing rule over China.
The Qing dynasty experienced its golden age during the long reigns of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong. Under their rule, the empire expanded to its greatest territorial extent in Chinese history. The Qing successfully incorporated Tibet, Xinjiang, and Mongolia into their empire, creating a vast multi-ethnic state that stretched from the Pacific Ocean to Central Asia.
The 19th century marked the beginning of the Qing dynasty's decline. The empire faced unprecedented challenges from Western powers, particularly Britain, which forced China into the devastating Opium Wars. These conflicts resulted in unequal treaties that opened Chinese ports to foreign trade and influence. Simultaneously, massive internal rebellions like the Taiping Rebellion devastated the country, weakening imperial authority and draining the treasury.
By the early 20th century, the Qing dynasty was in terminal decline. The failed Boxer Rebellion further weakened imperial prestige, while revolutionary ideas spread throughout China. In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen and his republican movement, successfully overthrew the last emperor, Puyi. This marked the end of the Qing dynasty and over two millennia of imperial rule in China, ushering in the era of the Republic of China.