Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It was the last ethnic Han dynasty in China, supplanting the Mongol Yuan Dynasty before falling to the Manchu Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty ({{Zh-cpw|c=明朝|p=míng cháo|w=}}) was also called The Great Ming Empire (大明帝国). Though the Ming capital, Beijing, fell in 1644, remnants of the Ming throne and power (now collectively called the Southern Ming) survived until 1662.

Fall of the Ming Dynasty

The fall of the Ming Dynasty was a protracted affair, its roots beginning as early as 1600 with the emergence of the Manchu state under Nurhaci. With superior artillery the Ming were able to repeatedly fight off the Manchu invaders, notably in 1623 and in 1628. However they were never able to capitalise on their victories and from 1629 onwards the Ming were wearied by a combination of internal strife and constant harrassment of Northern China by the Manchu; who had turned to raiding tactics so as to avoid facing the Ming armies in open battle.

Related Topics:
Fall of the Ming Dynasty - 1600 - Manchu - Nurhaci - 1623 - 1628 - 1629

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Unable to attack the heart of Ming China directly, the Manchu instead bided their time, developing their own artillery and gathering allies. In 1633 they completed a conquest of Inner Mongolia, resulting in a large scale recruitment of Mongol troops into the Manchu banners, and an additional route into the Ming heartland.

Related Topics:
1633 - Inner Mongolia

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By 1636 the Manchu ruler Abahai was confident enough to proclaim the Imperial Qing Dynasty at Shenyang, which had fallen to the Manchu by treachery in 1621, taking the Imperial title Chongde. The end of 1637 saw the defeat and conquest of China's traditional ally Korea by a 100,000 strong Manchu army, and the Korean renunciation of the Ming dynasty.

Related Topics:
1636 - Abahai - Qing - Shenyang - 1621 - 1637 - Korea

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On May 26, 1644, Beijing fell to a rebel army led by Li Zicheng. Seizing their chance, the Manchus crossed the Great Wall after Ming border general Wu Sangui opened the gates at Shanhai Pass, and quickly overthrew Li's shortlived Shun Dynasty. Despite the loss of Beijing (whose weakness as an Imperial capital had been forseen by

Related Topics:
1644 - Li Zicheng - Great Wall - Wu Sangui - Shanhai Pass

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Zhu Yuanzhang) and the death of the Emperor, Ming power was by no means destroyed. Nanjing, Fujian, Guangdong, Shanxi and Yunnan could all have been and were in fact strongholds of Ming resistance. However, the loss of central authority saw multiple pretenders for the Ming throne, unable to work together. Each bastion of resistance was individually defeated by the Qing until 1662, when the last real hopes of a Ming revival died with Zhu Youlang.

Related Topics:
1662 - Zhu Youlang

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(See also the relevant sections in the Qing Dynasty article)

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