Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty also known as the Manchu Dynasty, was the last ruling dynasty of China, until the founding of the Republic of China in 1911.
Before the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, there was a regime called ´Latter Jin´ that had been set up by Nurhaci, leader of the Man Ethnic Minority. Actually, Man people were the offspring of the Jurchen people who had always been living in Northeast China. After reunifying all the Jurchen tribes, Nurhaci proclaimed himself emperor in 1616. Thus a new regime called Latter Jin was founded in Hetuala (in current Liaoning Province) during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644).
In 1636, Huang Taiji, son of Nurhaci moved the capital to Shenyang (currently the capital city of Liaoning Province) and changed the regime title into ´Qing´. He thus established the Qing Dynasty. In 1644 when peasant´s uprising leader Li Zicheng ended the Ming Dynasty and set up a new regime in Beijing, the Qing army seduced a general named Wu Sangui to rebel against Li Zicheng. With Wu´s help, the Qing army successfully captured Beijing and rooted their regime there.
Throughout the reigns of Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong, the Qing reached its peak, displaying a period when the Manchus embraced Chinese cultural traditions and the court became a leading patron in the arts as China enjoyed an extended period of political stability and economic prosperity. This was known as the Kang Qian Sheng Shi (flourishing age from Kang to Qian, 1662-1759). During this period, Emperor Kangxi recaptured Taiwan and put down the rebellion of the Zhun Geer tribe. With a vast territory, the Qing gradually gained stability, which enabled a steady development of economy, culture, industry and commerce. And during the reign of Qianglong, the borders of China were expanded to their greatest extent ever. His reign was the time of the greatest prosperity during the Qing Dynasty.
Internal rebellions further weakened China. The Tai Ping Rebellion is one of the most famous. Other uprisings which greatly affected China were known as the Mohammedan risings, which were more separate events than uprisings connected to each other.
Finally, the Revolution of 1911 led by Sun Yat-sen broke out and overthrew the Qing Dynasty, bringing two thousand years of Chinese feudal monarchy to an end, and the Republic of China arose.