Manchus
Manchu, , the name of the last dynasty of Chinese emperors, 1644-1912. It is also called the Ch'ing Dynasty. The Manchus, a people composed of northern Tungus tribes, came south from Manchuria and overthrew the Ming Dynasty. The Manchu emperors retained most Chinese institutions and traditions, but made Chinese men wear the queue (pigtail) as a sign of submission. The last Manchu emperor, Hsüan T'ung, or Pu-yi, was forced to abdicate in 1912, after which China became a republic.