The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: 清朝; Pinyin: Qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: Ch'ing ch'ao; Manchu: daicing gurun; Mongolian: Манж Чин), occasionally known as the Manchu Dynasty, was the 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). Since 1644 it expanded into China proper and its surrounding territories, establishing the Empire of the Great Qing (Simplified Chinese: 大清国; Traditional Chinese: 大清國; Pinyin: dàqīngguó). 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 has come into power over most of present-day China, although complete pacification of China would not be complete until 1683.
During its reign, the Qing Dynasty was highly integrated with Chinese culture and was the richest empire in the world of 18th century. 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.