Who were the Qing? The traditional mandarin written character for Qing means clear, pure, distinct. 

China has 56 ethnic groups, or 56 minorities. The Han Chinese are the majority. The Qing were Manchus, one of the other 55 minorities or ethnic groups in China.

Their founding father is Nurhaci. The region he was born was, at that time, outside of China bordering its Northeast border. That area is now within China and it comprises parts of its furthest Northeast provinces. 

The Manchus' relationship with the Ming Dynasty was rocky for many decades. While the Manchus paid their annual tribute as they were expected.  They also harassed the Dynasty along the border with China. 

Nurhaci created the eight-banner system.  The banner system was the backbone of the early Qing Dynasty.

In the early 17th century Nurhaci declared that Manchuria was independent from China. The Ming Emperor was not too happy about that declaration.  He sent the army to Manchuria to teach the Manchus a lesson. Nurhaci and his bannerman army defeated the Ming army.  

The next episode I will talk about his son.

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