# Wu Sangui

> Chinese general and rebel (1612-1678)

**Wikidata**: [Q468701](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q468701)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Sangui)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wu-sangui

## Summary
Wu Sangui was a Chinese general and rebel who lived from 1612 to 1678. He is best known for founding the Zhou dynasty (1678–1681) and leading rebellions against the Qing dynasty, marking a significant period of resistance during the late Ming-Qing transition.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1612 (exact location unknown)
- **Nationality**: Chinese
- **Known for**: Founding the Zhou dynasty and leading rebellions against the Qing dynasty
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, political rebellion

## Contributions
- **Zhou Dynasty (1678–1681)**: Wu Sangui established the Zhou dynasty, which lasted for three years before being suppressed by the Qing dynasty. This period marked a brief but notable resistance movement during the late Ming-Qing transition.
- **Rebellion Against the Qing Dynasty**: Wu Sangui led military campaigns against the Qing dynasty, contributing to the broader context of resistance movements during the fall of the Ming dynasty.

## FAQs
- **What was Wu Sangui's role in Chinese history?**
  Wu Sangui was a Chinese general and rebel who founded the Zhou dynasty (1678–1681) and led rebellions against the Qing dynasty, playing a key role in the late Ming-Qing transition period.
- **When did Wu Sangui live?**
  Wu Sangui lived from 1612 to 1678, a period that included the fall of the Ming dynasty and the rise of the Qing dynasty.
- **What was the Zhou dynasty?**
  The Zhou dynasty, founded by Wu Sangui in 1678, was a short-lived state that lasted until 1681 before being suppressed by the Qing dynasty.

## Why They Matter
Wu Sangui's rebellion and the establishment of the Zhou dynasty represent a significant but brief moment of resistance during the late Ming-Qing transition. His actions, though ultimately unsuccessful, contributed to the broader narrative of resistance and political upheaval in late imperial China. His legacy is remembered as a key figure in the complex history of the Ming-Qing transition.

## Notable For
- **Founding the Zhou Dynasty**: Established the Zhou dynasty in 1678, which lasted until 1681.
- **Rebellion Against the Qing Dynasty**: Led military campaigns against the Qing dynasty, marking a notable period of resistance during the late Ming-Qing transition.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Wu Sangui was born in 1612, a time of significant political upheaval in China as the Ming dynasty was declining and the Qing dynasty was rising. Little is known about his early life, but he emerged as a military leader during the late Ming-Qing transition period.

### Military Leadership and Rebellion
Wu Sangui gained prominence as a general and rebel leader, playing a role in the broader resistance movements against the Qing dynasty. His most notable achievement was the founding of the Zhou dynasty in 1678, which lasted for three years before being suppressed by Qing forces.

### The Zhou Dynasty (1678–1681)
The Zhou dynasty, established by Wu Sangui, was a short-lived state that marked a brief period of resistance during the late Ming-Qing transition. The dynasty's existence was brief but significant in the context of the broader political and military struggles of the time.

### Legacy and Influence
Wu Sangui's rebellion and the establishment of the Zhou dynasty are remembered as a notable but ultimately unsuccessful effort to resist the Qing dynasty. His legacy is tied to the broader history of the Ming-Qing transition, where various resistance movements sought to preserve the legacy of the Ming dynasty.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. China Biographical Database
3. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
4. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
5. Trove
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Academia Sinica Name Authority Database
8. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb159992469)