The Qing Dynasty (1644 –1912 CE) is founded by the minority Manchus, and is also known as the Manchu Dynasty.
Empress Dowager Cixi, the “Dragon Lady,” gains control of the Qing in 1861. She rules China for 46+ years, during two separate spans, 1862–1874, and 1875–1908. Many historians consider her both one of the most formidable women and one of the most adroit politicians in modern history.
The Qing Dynasty, the last ruling dynasty of China, is not to be confused with the Qin Dynasty (c. 221–206 BCE), the first dynasty of imperial China. It was originally founded as the Later Jin Dynasty in 1616, it changed its name to “Qing,” meaning “clear” in 1636, and captured Beijing in 1644, now considered its official genesis–point.