The 1911 Chinese Revolution, also known as the Xinhai Revolution, brought an end to the rule of which dynasty or ruling group in China?

Introduction / Context:
The 1911 Chinese Revolution, often called the Xinhai Revolution, is a key event in world and Asian history. It marked the fall of imperial rule in China and the transition towards a republic. For general knowledge and history exams, a common question is which dynasty or ruling group lost power because of this revolution. This connects the events of 1911 to the longer timeline of Chinese dynasties.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers specifically to the year 1911 and the revolution that ended imperial rule in China.
- The options include Mongolians, Ming dynasty, Manchus of the Qing dynasty and the Song dynasty.
- We assume a basic familiarity with the chronological order of major Chinese dynasties.
- The task is to identify which ruling group was still in power immediately before 1911.

Concept / Approach:
The last imperial dynasty of China was the Qing dynasty, which was established by the Manchus, a people from northeast Asia. The Qing ruled from the mid seventeenth century until the early twentieth century. By 1911, internal rebellions, foreign pressure and reform failures had weakened Qing authority. The Xinhai Revolution finally toppled this Manchu led dynasty and led to the proclamation of the Republic of China. Therefore, the correct answer must link the revolution to the Manchus of the Qing dynasty.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the chronological order of relevant Chinese dynasties: Song, Ming and then Qing.Step 2: Note that the Song dynasty ended centuries earlier, before the Yuan and Ming dynasties.Step 3: Remember that the Ming dynasty fell in the seventeenth century and was replaced by the Manchu led Qing dynasty.Step 4: Understand that in 1911 the dynasty still ruling China was the Qing, whose rulers were Manchus.Step 5: Select the option that explicitly mentions the Manchus of the Qing dynasty as the rulers brought down by the 1911 revolution.

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to check is to connect dates: the Qing dynasty began in 1644 and ended formally in 1912 when the last emperor, Puyi, abdicated. The revolution that forced this abdication took place in 1911. This simple date connection confirms that the Qing, not the Ming, Song or an unnamed Mongolian regime, were in power at that time. While earlier dynasties and foreign conquerors influenced China, they do not match the 1911 timeline.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Mongolians, usually refers to the Yuan dynasty period, which ended long before 1911. Option B, the Ming dynasty, had already fallen by the mid seventeenth century and cannot be the one overthrown in 1911. Option D, the Song dynasty, ended even earlier and is far removed from the twentieth century. Only the Manchus of the Qing dynasty match both the period and the description of the ruling group.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up the names and dates of Chinese dynasties, especially Ming and Qing, because both were large and influential. A useful memory aid is that Qing comes after Ming alphabetically and historically. Another pitfall is assuming that any foreign sounding name, such as Mongol or Manchu, is interchangeable, but in fact these refer to different peoples and different historical periods.

Final Answer:
The 1911 Chinese Revolution ended the rule of the Manchus of the Qing dynasty.