The last ruler of the Ming Dynasty in China was Emperor Chongzhen, who reigned from 1627 until the dynasty's collapse in 1644. His reign was marked by internal strife, economic difficulties, and external pressures from the Manchu invasion. Facing rebellion from peasant uprisings led by figures like Li Zicheng, and unable to effectively govern a crumbling state, Chongzhen's rule ended tragically when he committed suicide as the Manchus entered Beijing. This event signified the fall of the Ming Dynasty, paving the way for the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, which would rule China for over two centuries. Chongzhen remains a figure synonymous with the Ming's decline and the chaos of the period.