The Qing Dynasty, also known as the Manchu Dynasty, was the last imperial dynasty of China. The Qing Dynasty was founded in 1636 by the Manchus, a nomadic people from northern China, and lasted until February 12, 1912 when it was overthrown in a revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
The fall of the Qing Dynasty is generally attributed to several different factors, some of which were economic, political, and social. On the economic front, the Qing Dynasty was failing due to widespread corruption, lack of modern infrastructure, and rising debt caused by foreign interference. Politically, the Qing Dynasty had long been weakened by internal power struggles between different factions within the ruling class, which further weakened its legitimacy. Finally, on a social level, the Qing Dynasty was unable to contain the surge of reformist ideas that had been growing since the 19th century and which led to increasing dissatisfaction among the Chinese population.
There were several events prior to the fall of the Qing Dynasty that helped catalyse its downfall. The most notable of these was the Wuchang Uprising in October 1911, which was an armed rebellion against the Qing government. This uprising was sparked by news of corruption and mismanagement within the government and was led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, who would become the first president of the Republic of China. In December 1911, several provinces declared their independence from the Qing Dynasty and by the end of the month Dr. Sun Yat-sen had been elected provisional president of the Republic of China.
In February 1912, the Qing Dynasty officially came to an end when the last emperor, Puyi, abdicated the throne. With the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Republic of China was established. However, the newly formed republic would be divided amongst various warring factions during the next decade before eventually becoming unified again in 1928.
Today, the legacy of the Qing Dynasty is still evident throughout China, from its architecture to art and culture. The fall of this dynasty marked the beginning of a new era for China and although it is seen as a sad event it has ultimately allowed the country to progress into what it is today.